Olympian Claressa Shields signs multi-year MMA deal with PFL

Claressa Shields has signed a multi-year contract to transition to MMA and compete in the PFL, the promotion announced Tuesday.

Shields is a two-time Olympic gold medalist in boxing and a three-division world champion. She will join the PFL's season format in 2022, taking one-off bouts in 2021 while continuing to box.

The 25-year-old is expected to make her MMA debut as early as April 23, which marks the start of the PFL's 2021 season, according to The Athletic.

Shields won her first gold medal in 2012 and another in 2016. She owns a 10-0 record in her professional boxing career, with her last victory coming via unanimous decision over Ivana Habazin in January. She became the fastest fighter in boxing history - male or female - to win titles in three different divisions.

While she doesn't have her first opponent lined up yet, Shields previously challenged UFC champion Amanda Nunes to two fights: one boxing match and one MMA bout, neither of which came to fruition.