Claressa Shields is ready to become a ‘two-sport star’ by crossing over to the UFC to fight Amanda Nunes, her promoter has confirmed.
Shields is a two-weight world champion in boxing, having conquered the middleweight and super middleweight divisions.
The American star is now looking to add more accolades to her resume by switching sports.
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Undefeated
Shields will look to gain her third boxing title when she takes on Ivana Habazin on January 10 for the vacant junior middleweight belt.
Should she be succesful, the 24-year-old will have conquered three seperate weight divisions and will remain undefeated in her professional career, extending her record to 10-0.
It looks as though Shield’s attentions will turn away from boxing following her title bout with Habazin, as she continues to secure a crossover fight with Amanda Nunes.
The two-time Olympic gold medallist recently attended UFC 245 to witness Nunes defend her UFC bantamweight title against Germaine de Randamie.
Speaking backstage at the event, Shields encouraged the idea of two fights between her and Nunes, one in the Octagon and one in the ring.
She told ESPN: “We wanna see what’s up with Amanda Nunes for the future with a boxing match and an MMA match,”
Nunes rebuffed the claims in her post-fight conference and implied the boxer is all talk.
She said: “I don’t think she’s going to want anything to do with this.”
“If she wants to see me, come to my world. I’m gonna be here. I’m an MMA fighter.”
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Serious Talk
Shield’s promoter Dmitry Salita has now said it’s more than just talk, and the American is serious about stepping into Nunes’ world.
Speaking to MMA Fighting, Salita said: “Claressa wants to be a two-sport star,”
“In between fights, she did do some training, wrestling training, and some UFC-type training.”
“Obviously, boxing is her domain, but Claressa has said she’d do a fight in boxing and a fight in the UFC with Amanda.”
“It would obviously take time for Claressa to develop and get better in that sport.”
“I think what makes it so attractive is that Amanda Nunes is a striker.”
“Most of her significant wins have been because of her striking ability, her power and her precision, and her ability to figure out situations and land the big power punch.”
“That’s why this is such an intriguing match-up.”
Shields would inevitably attract high-level coaches should she make the transition, and Salita thinks she can conquer a second sport.
She continued: “Claressa is a two-time Olympic gold medalist,”
“She’s the undisputed middleweight world champion, unified undisputed middleweight world champion.”
“She’s going to fight for a third division world title against Ivana Habazin on Showtime, and if she wins, she’s going to be the fastest fighter in the history of the sport — man or woman — to win three division titles in under 11 fights.”
“So obviously, Claressa takes her career very seriously.”
“She’s very dedicated to her training.”
“She’s dedicated to being the best.”
“She is very serious is about being undefeated in the boxing ring, and when the time comes in the Octagon, or whatever domain the MMA fights happen in, she wants to be a two-sport star.”
Make It Happen
Salita confirmed that talks have been held with the UFC to make the fight happen.
“We’ve had some conversations about the UFC about this,” she said.
“She obviously wants the fight, and I think Amanda wants the fight as well.”
(Featured image source: Instagram/ Claressa Shields)