{"id":117015,"date":"2025-05-20T12:10:09","date_gmt":"2025-05-20T12:10:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/117015\/"},"modified":"2025-05-20T12:10:09","modified_gmt":"2025-05-20T12:10:09","slug":"boxing-goat-admits-mma-is-too-hard-as-she-retires-after-breaking-her-arm-twice-during-2-1-run","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/117015\/","title":{"rendered":"Boxing GOAT admits MMA is \u2018too hard\u2019 as she retires after breaking her arm twice during 2-1 run"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Claressa Shields has officially retired from MMA after a three-fight run in the sport. <\/strong><\/p>\n

The 16-0 boxing superstar, who believes she is \u2018the greatest woman of all time,\u2019 sent shockwaves through the combat sports world by crossing over to MMA in 2021.<\/p>\n

Claressa Shields rallied to get a TKO win<\/a> in her debut before falling to a split-decision defeat next time out. <\/p>\n

In February 2024, she edged out 2-2 fighter Kelsey DeSantis in what proved to be her last MMA outing.<\/p>\n

\"PhotoPhoto by Gregory Shamus\/Getty ImagesClaressa Shields retires from MMA<\/p>\n

Earlier this year, the two-time Olympic gold medalist provided a bleak update about her MMA career.<\/a><\/p>\n

Claressa Shields<\/a> suggested she doesn\u2019t have enough time to train at the level needed to become a world-champion-level fighter.<\/p>\n

On Monday, the 30-year-old admitted MMA is \u2018too hard\u2019 as she officially retired from the sport. <\/p>\n

\u201cMMA is done, sweetheart,\u201d Shields told\u00a0Ariel Helwani. \u201cIt was fun, but I don\u2019t have enough time to train for it. It takes eight months just to get ready to defend takedowns. I got a lot better and put in the time, I broke my arm twice. It was fun, and I enjoyed every fight I did. <\/p>\n

\u201cMy family never wanted me to do it. I did it because I wanted to prove a point, and I proved that point. <\/p>\n

\u201cIt takes a lot of time to train for MMA, time that I don\u2019t have. I did have aspirations of being a PFL MMA world champion and have a fight with\u00a0Kayla Harrison\u00a0or\u00a0Larissa Pacheco\u00a0one day. I did have those dreams and aspirations, but I just don\u2019t have enough time. <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m already great in boxing, and to be great like that in MMA, I would have to train consistently for at least three to four years. I did really good in MMA. It was fun, but it was too hard.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n

Claressa Shields shares she will no longer compete in MMA:<\/p>\n

“Oh no. MMA is done, sweetheart. It was fun\u2026 I got a lot better. I put in time. I got my arm broken twice.<\/p>\n

It just takes a lot of time to train for MMA that time that I don’t have\u2026 I did really good in MMA. It was\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/qgpzUFkSXs<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) May 19, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

View Tweet<\/p>\n

What\u2019s next for Claressa Shields? <\/p>\n

Claressa Shields will return to the boxing ring against IBF light-heavyweight titleholder Lani Daniels on July 26.<\/p>\n

Shields became the undisputed heavyweight champion with a unanimous points win over fellow American Danielle Perkins in February.<\/p>\n

She\u2019ll put those titles and her perfect record on the line against Daniels at the Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. <\/p>\n<\/p>\n