Cris Cyborg issues fierce challenge to Claressa Shields

In a recent development within the combat sports community, Cris Cyborg, a PFL SuperFights champion, issued a challenge to Claressa Shields, the Olympic gold medalist and a multi-weight-division boxing champion. Cyborg, known for her achievements in MMA, presented a three-layered challenge, suggesting that in an MMA match, she would suplex Shields, while also insisting that for a boxing bout, Shields would need to come down to 147 pounds. This challenge reflects ongoing discussions about crossover bouts between boxing and MMA fighters, highlighting the complexities of fighter negotiations, especially regarding weight classes and perceived advantages. The interest in a potential fight between Cyborg and Shields is significant, as it could be one of the most anticipated matchups in women's combat sports, despite Cyborg's assumption that she holds the A-side position in the negotiations. The dynamics of the fight potential also raise questions about the promotional opportunities for the PFL and how they might creatively combine boxing with MMA events to accommodate such high-profile matchups.