Cyborg Says Shields Quit MMA and Picks the Easiest Road

Cris Cyborg has aimed a new jab at Claressa Shields on social media. She accuses the boxing great of always choosing the path of least resistance, in both MMA and boxing.

"Claressa had her first MMA fight in 2021," Cyborg wrote. "She could be a solid purple or brown belt in BJJ by now. Claressa quit MMA because it was too hard and went back to boxing."

She then pointed to Shields' boxing schedule. "Since returning to boxing @Claressashields has only had 8 boxing fights... the same amount of boxing fights I've had while being MMA world champion. She picks and chooses the easiest road possible."

Cyborg counts seven professional boxing matches and one exhibition among her own. She has since become a world champion in boxing.

Shields' MMA run

Shields' stint in MMA was short. She fought three times for the PFL, winning twice and losing once for a 2-1 record. Her main passion has always been boxing, where she is regarded as one of the greatest women's boxers of all time.

Cyborg's view is that Shields went back to her comfort zone once it was clear she would not become a PFL world champion.

An old friendship

The two were once friends. Shields helped Cyborg prepare for UFC 232, where Cyborg lost the women's featherweight title to Amanda Nunes by first-round knockout. The friendship later soured.

Cyborg recently mocked Shields' MMA run in one of several swipes on social media. Her own PFL time has ended. She fought out her contract at PFL Tampa with a unanimous decision win over Ketlen Vieira, then called out both Kayla Harrison and Shields in the post-fight interview.

Cyborg has chased a boxing match with Shields for a while. It has not been booked because of disputes over which division they would fight in and over financial terms.

Source: MMA Sucka