The PFL vs Bellator event will be a historic night for combat sports fans for many reasons. GWOAT Claressa Shields will make her return to the PFL SmartCage, as she looks to become the first athlete to hold Championship belts simultaneously in MMA and boxing. Meanwhile, boxing legend Muhammad Ali’s grandson, Biaggio Ali Walsh, will make his professional MMA debut after a short stint as an amateur with the PFL.
HEY 👋🏾 FAMILY, Fans & Friends! Weight has been made today 164.4 Lbs! Thank you for all the prayers 🤲 I fight tomorrow on ESPN & DAZN at 1:45pm ET (Michigan) 10:45am PT (Las vegas) 12:45pm CT (Alabama) ! #PFLvsBellator #pflmma #ClaressaShields #GWOAT #Share #Makemeyourprofilepic pic.twitter.com/IHvjizcrqC
— Claressa Gwoat Shields (@Claressashields) February 23, 2024
Initially scheduled to be a 155-pound fight, Claressa Shields will take on Kelsey DeSantis in a catchweight bout at 165lbs. The GWOAT took to social after the confusion following the weigh-in, “Nope we agreed to a catch weight as a few other fights on the card.” She said.
Nope we agreed to a catch weight as a few other fights on the card https://t.co/ClL3rCvqj8
— Claressa Gwoat Shields (@Claressashields) February 23, 2024
PFL vs. Bellator goes down on April 24 in Kingdom Arena, Saudi Arabia, in a Champion vs. Champion card featuring some of the best fighters in mixed martial arts.
What is Claressa Shields’ MMA record?
Claressa Shields is 1-1 in her mixed martial arts career heading into her fight against Kelsey DeSantis. The undisputed boxing champion emerged victoriously in her MMA debut in June 2021 where she defeated Brittney Elkin via stoppage (TKO) at PFL 4.
However, Shields suffered a setback in her next appearance, dropping her first MMA loss against Abigail Montes via split decision at PFL 10 in October 2021.
The fight at the PFL vs Bellator event will be Shields’ first MMA outing in over two years. Since then, she has competed thrice inside the boxing ring, including a pivotal win against Savannah Marshall. Shields’ most recent victory came against Maricela Cornejo in June 2023.
Kelsey DeSantis is also fresh in her mixed martial arts journey, having competed only thrice ahead of April 24. She is 1-2 in her MMA career and will step inside the cage on the back of a first-round stoppage victory.