Claressa Shields Books Next Title Defense Against Kaye Scott While Cris Cyborg Superfight Continues to Loom

Undisputed heavyweight champion Claressa Shields has her next opponent.

According to ESPN, Shields will defend her championship against unified middleweight champion Kaye Scott later this year, adding another accomplished name to her already historic boxing résumé. The matchup gives Shields the opportunity to continue cementing her legacy as one of the most decorated female boxers of all time.

Yet despite another world title fight on the horizon, much of the conversation surrounding Shields continues to center around a potential crossover super fight with MMA legend Cris Cyborg.

Shields Started the Conversation

The possibility of a Shields vs. Cyborg boxing match did not begin with Cris Cyborg.

It was Claressa Shields who publicly challenged the MMA superstar to meet her in a professional boxing match at 154 pounds, repeatedly expressing confidence that she would defeat the former UFC, Bellator, Invicta, Strikeforce, and current PFL champion inside the boxing ring.

For years, fans have debated how the matchup would unfold between arguably the greatest women’s boxer of all time and the woman many consider the greatest female mixed martial artist ever.

Cris Cyborg Said Yes…And Raised the Stakes

Unlike many fantasy fights that never progress beyond social media, Cris Cyborg immediately embraced the challenge.

Not only did Cyborg publicly accept fighting at the requested 154-pound limit, but she has also stated that financial backing has been secured for a $2 million purse for Claressa” The GWOAT” Shields to make the fight happen.

Despite Cyborg’s willingness to meet Shields’ terms, the blockbuster boxing match has yet to materialize.

Instead, Shields has continued with her boxing schedule while the proposed Cyborg bout remains on hold.

Silence on the Offer, Focus on Kaye Scott

Rather than publicly accepting or declining the reported offer, Shields has remained focused on preparing for Kaye Scott.

During recent exchanges, Shields has instead taken verbal shots at Cyborg, referring to the MMA champion as “old and washed up.”

The comments have raised eyebrows among combat sports fans considering Shields’ next opponent.

Kaye Scott enters the fight at 42 years old with a professional boxing record of 5-1-1.

Meanwhile, Cris Cyborg continues building an impressive boxing résumé of her own.

The undefeated Brazilian is 8-0 as a professional boxer, with six knockout victories. Ironically, Cyborg has more professional knockouts (6) than Kaye Scott has total professional victories (5), highlighting just how quickly the MMA legend has adapted to boxing.

Cyborg’s Focus Returns to MMA

While speculation surrounding the Shields fight continues, Cris Cyborg’s immediate attention has shifted back to mixed martial arts.

On August 22, Cyborg headlines PFL Tampa when she defends her PFL Women’s Featherweight World Championship against former UFC title challenger Ketlen Vieira.

Vieira represents one of the toughest opponents available outside the UFC, making it anything but a farewell appearance for Cyborg. The Brazilian contender enters the promotion after spending years ranked among the elite bantamweights in the world and brings victories over Holly Holm, Miesha Tate, Cat Zingano, and Sara McMann.

A victory would mark another milestone for Cyborg, who continues adding to one of the most accomplished careers in combat sports history.

The Clock Is Ticking

According to Cyborg’s team, Shields has until the end of the year to decide whether she intends to accept the proposed 154-pound boxing match.

Should the fight move forward, it would instantly become one of the biggest crossover events in women’s combat sports history, matching boxing’s most accomplished active champion against one of MMA’s most decorated athletes.

Until then, Shields’ attention belongs to Kaye Scott.

Cyborg’s belongs to Ketlen Vieira.

If both women are victorious, the pressure for boxing’s most anticipated women’s superfight will only continue to grow. Fans have waited years to see Claressa Shields and Cris Cyborg settle the debate inside a boxing ring, and with Cyborg publicly accepting the challenge and stating that funding has been secured, the ball now appears to be in Shields’ court.