Claressa had her first MMA fight in 2021. By now he could be either a purple belt or a brown belt in BJJ. Claressa quit MMA because it was too hard and went back to boxing. Since returning to boxing, @Claressashields has only had 8 fights…the same number of fights I’ve had as MMA World Champion. He picks and chooses the easiest path
— CrisCy₿org.com 19X World Champion (@criscyborg)
October 27, 2026
Cris Cyborg took aim Claressa Shieldsaccusing the boxing champion of giving up mixed martial arts because it was too difficult.
In an Oct. 27 social media post, Cyborg questioned Shields’ progress in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and compared their boxing endeavors, claiming that she has practiced both sports while Shields has focused on boxing.
Cris Cyborg criticizes Claressa Shields’ exit from MMA and predicts a first round victory in a potential matchup
“Claressa quit MMA because it was too hard and went back to boxing,” Cyborg wrote on X.
The Brazilian also suggested that Shields could have earned a purple or brown belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu after his MMA debut in 2021.
Cyborg claimed that Shields had competed in eight boxing matches since his return to the sport, matching his own total when he was an MMA world champion.
“Claressa quit MMA because it was too hard and went back to boxing. Since returning to boxing, @Claressashields has only had 8 fights…the same number of fights I’ve had while MMA world champion,” Cyborg continued. “He picks and chooses the easiest path.”
The dispute goes back several years. Shields has claimed that she beat Cyborg during their sparring session in 2018, and the two have openly discussed a possible boxing match. In August, Shields claimed that Cyborg had turned down a $2 million offer to fight at 154 pounds. The two have yet to meet in professional competition.
i would hit Claressa Shields In MMA without throwing a punch. 145lbs vs 175lbs and he still loses in the first round 🥋 That would be ugly. He may never fight again.
— CrisCy₿org.com 19X World Champion (@criscyborg)
October 28, 2026
