Claressa Shields, an unbeaten boxing champion, won the first professional female Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) battle in Saudi Arabia.
Shields told CNN, “I had such a hard camp,” after her triumph. She continued, “It’s not easy what I’m trying to do, and I’ve been very respectful of the sport. I worked so hard; I’m going to go back to the gym and work even harder.”
“I almost got my arm snapped in the freakin’ armbar,” Shields said. “I had to struggle through that. There were days at camp when I was literally in tears. I didn’t want to go back to the gym because it was so hard, but I forced myself there, and that’s how I won tonight.”
This was her first professional MMA fight since being defeated by Abigail Montes in October 2021. In a stunning triumph, the 28-year-old wriggled free from a tight hold to defeat USA MMA fighter Kelsey De Santis.
Shields and De Santis faced off on the undercard of Bellator MMA’s PFL vs. Bellator event, which was promoted by the Professional Fighters League.
Shields has a 14-0 boxing record and is 2-1 in professional mixed martial arts, according to CNN.
Shields, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, was the first undisputed champion of the light and middleweight weight classes in a time when four titles were available.
Saudi Arabia, an ultra-conservative country, has recently loosened some of the stringent restrictions imposed on women residents, increasing the prominence of female mixed martial arts participants.
“It will inspire the women there. Shields spoke with The Athletic about her fight and its impact on the country, stating that it will inspire their culture.
“If you look at my narrative and see what I went through and how sports improved my life, you will believe that every woman and man deserves sports. “Sports change and save lives.”