Claressa Shields unable to make 155lbs weight limit PFL opponent forced to accept catchweight bout

While Claressa Shields was busy Super Bowl weekend in Las Vegas, it appears her diet, exercise program suffered as it was announced that her fight Saturday night with the PFL against BJJ Purple Belt and MMA veteran Kelsey De Santis.  De Santis who is 1-2 as a professional first turned pro in 2013 after an undefeated MMA career as an amateur.  Making her debut in 2013 in a split decision loss, 10 years later De Santis returned to face Amanda Bell a tough veteran of the sport where she also picked up a decision loss.  Oct of this year Kelsey De Santis scored the first win of her professional MMA career with a KO win over Kathleen Nelson.

Shields who won two gold medals in the Olympics for Boxing at 165lbs, is also undefeated as a professional boxer. Making her MMA debut almost 3 years ago, Claressa Shields earned a TKO victory over Brittney Elkin.  Down two rounds and needing a finish against the 3-6 Brittney Elkins, Shields showed she had heart picking up the come from behind victory, but still needed to work on her technical skills. Facing Abigail Montes in her 2nd MMA bout, Shields lost a decision to the mexican fighter from Guadalajara Mexico.  Abigail who went on to go 1-3 inside the PFL is no longer with the promotion.

Shields who accepted the fight at 155lbs, has made this bout a catchweight of 165lbs despite the fact that her opponent Kelsey De Santis has never competed higher than 145lbs during her MMA career.  Currently no statements have been made by Claressa Shields in regards to the reason for the needed change in contracted weight.  Shields was infamously recorded ducking a fight with Cris Cyborg at 147lbs during the Radio Row of Super Bowl weekend in Las Vegas two weeks ago.