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The press conference held prior to her professional MMA debut on Thursday night in Atlantic City showcased the contrasting sides of Claressa Shields, the revered boxing champion hailing from Flint, Michigan.
Naturally, she exuded confidence.
“In all honesty, there is no doubt that Brittney Elkin is destined to lose,” Shields confidently declared in her opening statement.
In an attempt to be candid, Shields persisted in showing disrespect towards her opponent.
“I joined the Professional Fighters League with the intention of safeguarding my impeccable boxing record and preserving my hard-earned achievements. It’s disheartening to witness someone who lacks true dedication to the sport jeopardize my progress. While Brittney may have spent 12 years in MMA, her expertise seems to be limited to jiu-jitsu alone.”
Shields, in her own unique manner, had the ability to dial it back and prioritize thoughtfulness whenever the chance arose.
How ‘T-Rex’ turned into a fighting force
At the young age of 22, “T-Rex” achieved global recognition by becoming a world champion in her fourth professional fight. She secured a remarkable victory over Nikki Adler in the super middleweight division. In 2019, she handed Christina Hammer her inaugural defeat, unifying the middleweight title. Just this past March, she replicated her success by claiming the super welterweight title from Marie Eve Dicaire.
At just 26 years old, Shields stands as the sole triple-division champion in the illustrious history of boxing. However, she now finds herself in a boxing realm where her hunger for formidable opponents, an expanded fan base, and the accompanying financial rewards cannot be satiated. The web she once spun to capture attention has reached its limit.
Comparisons were consistently drawn between her level of skill and that of UFC stars Holly Holm and Amanda Nunes. This ultimately led to her participation in Thursday’s lightweight bout.
Shields explained that a feeling deep within her urged her to strive for excellence, suggesting that she should train to a level where she could defeat those same girls in MMA. She believed achieving victory in MMA would hold greater significance than in boxing, as she was already confident that no one could surpass her in that sport.
The risks of Claressa Shields making her MMA debut
Undeniably, her leap into the world of MMA fighting marks a significant and daring milestone, being the first of its kind.
When Shields made her debut in her early 20s, she had a strong determination, physical strength, and a fierce attitude that matched her lightning-fast footwork. As the MMA community is discovering, she thoroughly enjoys engaging in verbal exchanges, which has resulted in an increasing number of individuals in the boxing industry who are eager to witness her experience a humbling defeat or have her true abilities tested.
It hardly seemed worth it anymore, considering all the trouble.
“I simply reached a point in my boxing career where I felt like I had already achieved everything,” Shields expressed. “After putting in all the effort and dedication, there was this expectation that a particular fight would be the turning point, where I would become a superstar or earn a substantial amount of money for a lavish lifestyle.”
“I’m simply exhausted from not receiving the recognition I deserve and not reaping the rewards of my efforts.”
MMA pits uncertainty vs. familiarity
By transitioning her label from “boxer” to “fighter,” Claressa Shields has made herself vulnerable to potential criticism in her MMA debut. Despite being favored by DraftKings, FanDuel, and BetMGM sportsbooks in her upcoming fight against Elkin (3-6, 1 KO), Shields is experiencing immense pressure. Nonetheless, Shields is determined and unafraid of the repercussions, as she has a greater purpose driving her actions.
Shields emphasized the significance of hard work, stating that it is never in vain. He attributed his current position and the opportunity to be a main event in his MMA debut solely to his diligent efforts.
Irrespective of any circumstances, my ultimate aim is to become a world champion in MMA and boxing. Currently, my focus is on gaining valuable experience, securing victories, and progressing in my journey. However, I firmly believe that my hard work will never go to waste, as it consistently leads to personal growth, irrespective of the outcome.
Shields has successfully incorporated the honesty and fierce spirit that defined the boxing world into her own domain. The only slight variation lies in the lingering uncertainty that accompanies a new sport. However, even throughout this journey, she has realized that she is still within a familiar environment.
Shields reminisced, stating that it had been about two months since she last performed her entire routine flawlessly. Both she and her manager had desired this achievement, as it was a new experience for them. Despite not having her opponent in the cage yet, she admitted feeling a surge of nerves.
Boxing and MMA revolve around the concept of warfare. It boils down to a battle between individuals: me against you, woman against woman, man against man. No external assistance can be sought once inside the ring.
Professional Fighters League 2021 No. 4: Shields vs. Elkin
Location: Atlantic City, New Jersey.
Undercard starts at 6:30 p.m. on ESPN+, while the main card begins at 10 p.m. on ESPN2.
The odds provided by DraftKings for the Shields vs. Elkin match are as follows: Shields is favored at -335, while Elkin is the underdog at +245.
According to FanDuel, Shields is the favorite with odds of -280, while Elkin is the underdog with odds of +220.
The odds for the Shields vs Elkin fight at BetMGM are -250 for Shields and +190 for Elkin.
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