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VIDEO: Claressa Shields Overcomes Early Adversity to Earn a Third Round TKO Win in Her PFL Debut

Boxer turned PFL fighter, Claressa Shields won out in her MMA debut at PFL 4 via third-round TKO due to ground strikes. ‘T-Rex’ Shields put forth a comprehensive display of her athleticism and training to earn her first win in the cage. Shields landed a barrage of strikes in the final round, leaving the referee with no choice but to wave off the fight.

What’s more, Claressa Shields was down two rounds heading into the final round as she had lost control time to Elkin. Brittney Elkin was able to maintain mount off early takedowns in round 1 and 2 and threatened submission. However, the tide turned towards the end of round 2 and Claressa Shields showed her championship mettle.

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Claressa Shields vs Brittney Elkin: A debut showcase

The three-division boxing champion has got her MMA career off on the right foot and will be keen to continue her winning momentum. What’s more, she proved that she can weather the storm put forth by her opponent and bounce back stronger. The MMA community reacted to Claressa Shields’s performance and there were plenty of things to say.

Despite picking up the victory, Shields‘ win against Elkin has given pause to the notion that she can take on Kayla Harrison next. While it’s certainly a blockbuster super fight to make, the general consensus is that Claressa Shields needs more time to hone her skills.

It’s clear that her time at Jackson Wink has gone a long way in helping to build a strong game plan ahead of her debut. Training with the likes of Jon Jones and Holly Holm has given Shields the fast-tracked preparation she needed. MMA fans will be excited to see her continue to put in the work as she embarks deeper into her MMA run.

As for Brittney Elkin, she’s now 3-7 as a pro and her record has fallen before the fifty split margin. She was out of her depth on her feet and didn’t respond too well to the relentless ground strikes being landed in round three. However, the takedowns and control time against the cage will certainly be a positive takeaway.

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The post VIDEO: Claressa Shields Overcomes Early Adversity to Earn a Third Round TKO Win in Her PFL Debut appeared first on EssentiallySports.