In late 2019, three-division world boxing champion and two-time Olympic gold medalist Claressa Shields first announced her plans to crossover into mixed martial arts. Here’s what she told the media during UFC 245’s festivities in December.
“I feel like I have a chance now, but once we go to the ground and stuff, I have to learn that. Me being an Olympic athlete, I know that I can learn a different sport and catch on quicker than just a regular person.
“If they put me in 4 oz gloves, they’ll be calling me Muhammad Ali because these hands will be floating like a butterfly and stinging like a bee.