Cris Cyborg says Claressa Shields quit MMA because it was ‘too hard’

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.