Cris Cyborg challenges Claressa Shields to openweight super-fight

Frank Bonada

Twitter

Author

Publish Date: 11/26/2024

Mixed martial arts legend Cris Cyborg has called for an open-weight matchup with boxing sensation Claressa ‘GWOAT' Shields, reigniting interest in a potential crossover clash between two of the biggest stars in women's combat sports.

Cyborg, a trailblazer in women’s MMA, boasts an impressive 28-2 professional record and is the reigning PFL featherweight champion. Over nearly two decades, she has claimed titles in multiple organizations, including the UFC, Bellator, and Strikeforce, while also testing the waters of professional boxing.

Meanwhile, Claressa Shields, a multi-division world champion with an undefeated record, has long been a dominant force in the world of boxing. Shields has also briefly ventured into MMA, compiling a 1-1 professional record under the PFL banner.

Cris Cyborg issues callout to Claressa Shields

Cyborg recently took to X (formerly Twitter) to call out Shields, proposing an open-weight matchup under MMA rules. She wrote:

“Let’s bring back @realroyce style fights.@Claressashields 30 pounds heavier than me.Let’s do a no weight limit, open weight fight.📑🖊️ @PFLMMA”

Shields quickly responded, accepting the challenge but with one major stipulation: the fight must take place in the boxing ring. Shields tweeted:

“Oh Cris Cyborg wanna fight open weight! BET! Let’s do it at 154, 160 in boxing! I’ll put all my belts up @Turki_alalshikh”

Cyborg appeared open to the idea of boxing but set conditions, stating she would only fight in the ring if weight limits were imposed. However, she reiterated her preference for an MMA fight, regardless of Shields’ weight:

“We literally have the same MMA promoter.I don’t even walk at 160 pounds.If you want to fight boxing, get off the cookies and chips and make 147—it could all be so simple, but you’d rather duck competition.If you can’t cut the weight, then show up a sloppy 175lbs to the cage.”

Is a Cyborg vs. Shields super-fight feasible?

A potential clash between Cris Cyborg and Claressa Shields is undeniably intriguing, but there are a number of significant hurdles that make it far from straightforward.

Shields has of course excelled in boxing and remains undefeated, but her limited MMA experience would put her at a major disadvantage against Cyborg

At the same time, while Cyborg has impressed during her brief transition into boxing, stepping into the ring with Shields, a decorated, multi-division champion, would represent an enormous leap in competition compared to her previous boxing opponents.

The biggest question may not be if the fight happens, but where it will take place, be it inside the PFL smart cage or the squared circle. Either way, a clash between two of the greatest female fighters of their respective sports would undoubtedly attract massive attention and elevate the growing trend of crossover combat sports events.