October 27, 2021

Highlights | Abigail Montes Beats The Brakes Off Boxing Legend Claressa Shields

Abigail Montes serves Claressa Shields her first MMA loss at PFL Championships (Video)

Claressa Shields tasted defeat for the first time in her professional combat sports career. The multiple-time champion boxer and two-time Olympic gold medalist was unable to counteract the wrestling of Abigail Montes.

Abigail Montes Outgrapples Claressa Shields For Decision Win - PFL Championship Results (Highlights) | MiddleEasy

Shields ultimately suffered a split decision loss to the Mexican prospect at Wednesday’s PFL World Championship finale. Two judges scored the contest 29-28 in favor of Montes, while the lone dissenter scored it 29-28 for Shields.

WATCH PFL 10 Claressa Shields vs Abigail Montes MMA Fight Live Stream

Montes (3-0) exploited the inexperience of her decorated foe with a game plan that revolved around closing the distance, clinching Shields (1-1) against the fence, then working for takedowns and controlling her from top position.

PFL Championship 2021: Abigail Montes Fights Smart Game Plan, Beats Claressa Shields

Shields defended valiantly in the opening round and kept the fight standing while out-landing Montes from range, but the 21-year-old underdog continued her pursuit in rounds two and three and succeeded, ducking under a looping right hand in both frames and bulldozing Shields to the floor.

2021 PFL Championship results: Claressa Shields suffers first MMA loss

Aside from briefly achieving full mount in the closing minutes, Montes did very little once she was on top, but the control was enough to give Shields her first professional loss.

Abigail Montes upsets Claressa Shields via split decision in PFL bout - ESPN Video

Shields, 26, is champion boxer in three weight classes who also won gold in the 2012 and 2016 Olympic Games. She is widely considered to be one of the greatest female boxers of all-time and is undefeated in her 11 appearances as a professional in the boxing ring.

Video: Women's boxing star Claressa Shields loses to Abigail Montes in second MMA fight - Bloody Elbow

Shields signed a three-year deal with PFL in late 2020 and won her MMA debut over Brittney Elkin in June with a dramatic come-from-behind TKO in Round 3. Complete PFL World Championship 2021 Results can be seen here.

Watch highlights of Montes vs. Shields below.