Nunes 'lit a fire in me' for MMA - Shields

Undisputed middleweight champion boxer Claressa Shields says ex-UFC champion Amanda Nunes "lit a fire" in her to prove she can succeed in MMA.

American Shields, 28, will compete in her third MMA bout when she takes on Kelsey De Santis in Saudi Arabia on 24 February.

Shields, who is contracted to the PFL, says 35-year-old Nunes had challenged her to an MMA fight.

"I wanted to fight Amanda Nunes in a boxing match," said Shields.

"And when they asked her if she would fight me she said 'tell Claressa Shields to come to my world and I'll choke her'.

"When I heard her say that it really lit a fire in me.

"None of these girls are going to come over from MMA and fight me because they know I'd win hands down.

"But it would be a super challenge for me to go over to MMA so I just wanted to challenge myself."

Shields was speaking at a news conference promoting her fight at the PFL Champions v Bellator Champions event in Riyadh next month.

The event is the first show featuring fighters from both rosters since the PFL acquired Bellator in a "transformative deal" in November.

Shields, who is undefeated in in 14 boxing fights, is a world champion across multiple weight classes and is fighting in both MMA and boxing.

She won on her MMA debut in June 2021, beating Brittney Elkin, before losing to Abigail Montes four months later.

She last competed against Maricela Cornejo in June, retaining her undisputed middleweight boxing title.

Brazil's Nunes retired last year following a glittering MMA career which saw her become the UFC's only two-time double champion.

Shields says she is taking "one fight at a time" but aims to mirror her boxing accomplishments in MMA.

"I just want to come back and show that boxers can do MMA and that I have the potential to be a PFL world champion one day," said Shields.

The event in Riyadh pitches the 2023 PFL world champions against the Bellator title holders in their respective weight classes, with a number of non-title fights, including Shields against De Santis, on the undercard.

The headlining bout features a heavyweight champion versus champion clash between the PFL's Renan Ferreira and Bellator's Ryan Bader.

American Bader, 40, who has held his title since 2019, making four defences, says the event is a "huge deal" as promotions normally refrain from cross-brand fights to protect their image.

"This doesn't happen in MMA. Fans want these types of super-fights. A lot of organisations don't want to risk putting their champions out there and have another organisation come out and sweep them" said Bader.

"The whole card, if you look at it, is stacked. I am ready to claim another belt too. I love it and I'm ready for this huge opportunity."

PFL CEO Peter Murray says it is an "unprecedented in MMA" with the organisation planning to make it an annual event.

"Many fans have been talking about this for years. Other promotions have been talking about this as well," said Murray. "Think of it as MMA's All-Star Game. This will be long term."