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Nicolas Atkin

Claressa Shields will return to the MMA cage in August with an opponent already identified, PFL CEO Peter Murray has confirmed to the South China Morning Post.
Boxing’s “GWOAT” (greatest woman of all time) secured a comeback victory on her mixed martial arts debut last month, finishing Brittney Elkin in the third round with ground and pound at the PFL 4, 2021 event.
MMA Fighting’s Damon Martin first reported on Tuesday that Shields would return on the same card as two-time PFL women’s lightweight champ Kayla Harrison.
“We have an opponent identified, we haven’t announced her yet,” Murray said. “She’s from outside the US and candidly we’re just working through some visa-related protocols.


“And so we don’t wanna announce until that’s all squared away, so just more context on logistics and planning, but yes, she does have an opponent.”
The August 27 card in Miami will feature the semi-finals of the women’s lightweight and men’s heavyweight play-offs, as well as Shields’ second non-tournament bout in the Professional Fighters League.

MMA debut @Claressashields earned the third-round TKO victory at #2021PFL4 pic.twitter.com/U1DZZsKctq
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) June 11, 2021

A two-time Olympic gold medallist in boxing who holds three professional belts, 26-year-old American Shields could secure a place in next season’s women’s lightweight tournament if she has another strong performance, according to Murray.
“We’re excited about her next fight this August and then [PFL president] Rey Sefo and my team will evaluate working with Claressa’s team, if she has what it takes to get into the cage in the season format in 2022.
“This is what it’s all about, and it’s unfolding right in front of fans to see her make her debut and further develop, and then ultimately the league will make an assessment.

“Does she have the capability, or what else does she need to do to ensure she can be in the cage with the likes of Kayla Harrison and the other top women in the 155 [pound] weight class?”
Shields has a “very high” ceiling in MMA, Murray added, having shown impressive grounds skills against American Elkin (3-7), given she had only been training jiu-jitsu defence for seven months at Albuquerque’s Jackson Wink gym.
“Brittney was an absolutely challenging opponent for Claressa on her debut, and to watch Claressa stay composed … you saw her heart, you saw her strength in that third round, and she finished on the mat,” Murray said.

“I think she wanted to demonstrate she has that capability, that she’s not just a toe-to-toe fighter, so we have yet to see the best of Claressa Shields.
“We’re confident that we can keep her, and we think it really suits her the way she views the sport, as opposed to one-off events without context – really competing and earning your way through.
“She’s been on the podium and we offer a similar type of global stage, and there’s certainly other weight classes that Claressa can engage in, whether it’s women’s 145 [pounds] … but we’re confident that we have a bright future together.”


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Professional Fighters League (PFL)

PFL: Claressa Shields has opponent set for August, could fight in 2022 season format

Claressa Shields celebrates her victory over Brittney Elkin at the PFL 4, 2021 event. Photos: PFL

Claressa Shields sprawls against Brittney Elkin at the PFL 4, 2021 event. Photo: PFL

Claressa Shields punches Brittney Elkin at the PFL 4, 2021 event. Photo: PFL

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Nick Diaz poses for a picture during training. Instagram/@nickdiaz209

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Dustin Poirier moves in for a hit against Conor McGregor at UFC 264. Photo: USA TODAY Sports

(FILES) In this file photo Conor McGregor of Ireland walks in the octagon before his lightweight bought against Dustin Poirier during UFC 264: Poirier v McGregor 3 at T-Mobile Arena on July 10, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. - Conor McGregor underwent three hours of surgery on July 11, 2021, less than 24 hours after suffering a "clean" break of his left shinbone during a devastating UFC defeat to American brawler Dustin Poirier. Doctors revealed that McGregor broke his left tibia and fibula bones in the opening round of the non-title lightweight bout in Las Vegas. (Photo by Stacy Revere / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / AFP)

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]Conor McGregor sits on the mat after breaking his leg in the first round of his lightweight bout against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264. Photo: AFP

Dustin Poirier, top, punches Conor McGregor during a UFC 264 lightweight mixed martial arts bout Saturday, July 10, 2021, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Conor McGregor is carried off on a stretcher after losing to Dustin Poirier in a UFC 264 lightweight mixed martial arts bout Saturday, July 10, 2021, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

UFC 264: Dustin Poirier vows to fight Conor McGregor again ‘whether it’s in the Octagon or on the sidewalk’

Dustin Poirier celebrates after beating Conor McGregor via doctor stoppage. Photo: Reuters

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 10: Conor McGregor of Ireland is carried out of the arena on a stretcher after injuring his ankle in the first round of his lightweight bout against Dustin Poirier during UFC 264: Poirier v McGregor 3 at T-Mobile Arena on July 10, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Stacy Revere/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==

Jul 10, 2021; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Dustin Poirier moves in for a hit against Conor McGregor during UFC 264 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

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CEO Peter Murray confirms PFL ‘working through visa-related protocols’ for non-US opponent to face Shields on women’s lightweight play-off card
‘My team will make an assessment … can she be in the cage with the likes of Kayla Harrison?’ Murray says



CEO Peter Murray says Professional Fighters League will use second bout to assess if Claressa Shields ‘can be in the cage with the likes of Kayla Harrison’ next year.


PFL: Claressa Shields has opponent set for August, could fight in 2022 season format

CEO Peter Murray confirms PFL ‘working through visa-related protocols’ for non-US opponent to face Shields on women’s lightweight play-off card ‘My team will make an assessment … can she be in the cage with the likes of Kayla Harrison?’ Murray says

CEO Peter Murray confirms PFL ‘working through visa-related protocols’ for non-US opponent to face Shields on women’s lightweight play-off card

‘My team will make an assessment … can she be in the cage with the likes of Kayla Harrison?’ Murray says