Claressa Shields Open to Fighting Amanda Nunes in Exhibition

The boxing champion is interested in a high-profile exhibition match against the MMA legend.

Mar. 15, 2026 at 7:20am

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Claressa Shields, the undefeated boxing champion, has expressed openness to a potential exhibition fight against former UFC women's champion Amanda Nunes. Shields, who has been dominant in the boxing ring, believes she would emerge victorious in a boxing match against the MMA star, though she acknowledges Nunes' power and skill. The two have not competed against each other before, and an exhibition bout would generate significant interest among combat sports fans.

Why it matters

An exhibition fight between Shields and Nunes would be a highly anticipated crossover event, pitting two of the greatest female combat sports athletes of their generation against each other. While exhibition matches are often viewed with skepticism, a bout between these two superstars could generate significant interest and attention for the sport of boxing.

The details

Shields, who is the current undisputed middleweight boxing champion, was originally scheduled to face Shadasia Green in her next bout. However, that fight has been postponed, leading Shields to express interest in an exhibition match against Nunes. Nunes, who is considered the greatest female fighter in UFC history, has not competed since 2023 but had been planning a comeback fight against Kayla Harrison that was postponed due to injury. Shields believes she would emerge victorious in a boxing match against Nunes, though she acknowledges the MMA star's power and skill.

  • Shields' last fight was a 10-round bout against Franchon Crews Dezurn in Detroit on March 15, 2026.
  • Nunes has not competed in combat sports since 2023, when she retired from the UFC.

The players

Claressa Shields

An undefeated American professional boxer who is the current undisputed middleweight champion. She is widely considered one of the greatest female boxers of all time.

Amanda Nunes

A former UFC women's bantamweight and featherweight champion, often referred to as the 'GOAT' (Greatest of All Time) of women's MMA.

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What they’re saying

“I would fight against Amanda Nunes in boxing. Absolutely. That would be a good one.”

— Claressa Shields (TMZ)

“I would win, but I think she's very heavy-handed, she's strong, and she's a great fighter. She is the UFC women's G.O.A.T. of all time, so Amanda Nunes is that girl, but in boxing, I'm that girl.”

— Claressa Shields (TMZ)

What’s next

Shields' next scheduled fight against Shadasia Green has been postponed, leaving an opening for a potential exhibition match against Nunes. However, Nunes has not competed since 2023 and would need to make a successful comeback to the sport before any such bout could be arranged.

The takeaway

The prospect of a boxing exhibition between two of the greatest female combat sports athletes of their generation, Claressa Shields and Amanda Nunes, has generated significant interest among fans. While exhibition matches are often viewed with skepticism, a bout between these two superstars could generate significant attention and interest for the sport of boxing.