By Editorial Staff
Published: February 21, 2026
In a blockbuster announcement that’s set the combat sports world ablaze, boxing phenom Claressa Shields and MMA powerhouse Cris Cyborg are finally set to collide in the ring as the co-main event for the highly anticipated Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano showdown on Saturday, May 16th. The crossover bout, pitting Shields’ undefeated boxing prowess against Cyborg’s ferocious striking background, promises to be a war of attrition—and the fighters aren’t holding back in their official statements.
Claressa Shields, the self-proclaimed “GWOAT” (Greatest Woman of All Time) and multi-division boxing champion, exuded her trademark confidence during a virtual press conference earlier this week. “I’ve been waiting for a challenge like this, and Cyborg? She’s stepping into my world now,” Shields said with a smirk. “I’ve dominated every ring I’ve entered, from the Olympics to the pros. This isn’t MMA; this is boxing, where precision and power meet perfection. I’m going to show the world why I’m untouchable—knockout or decision, it doesn’t matter. Cyborg’s tough, but she’s about to learn what real boxing royalty looks like.”
“I’ve been waiting for a challenge like this, and Cyborg? She’s stepping into my world now,” Shields said with a smirk. “I’ve dominated every ring I’ve entered, from the Olympics to the pros. This isn’t MMA; this is boxing, where precision and power meet perfection. I’m going to show the world why I’m untouchable—knockout or decision, it doesn’t matter. Cyborg’s tough, but she’s about to learn what real boxing royalty looks like.”
On the flip side, Cris Cyborg, the Brazilian striking sensation and former UFC featherweight champion, didn’t mince words in her fiery response. Known for her aggressive style and knockout power, Cyborg vented her frustrations over the long-delayed matchup. “This fight has taken too long—way too damn long!” Cyborg exclaimed in a heated Instagram Live session. “I’ve been calling out Shields for years, and now it’s finally happening? About time! I’m angry, yeah—angry that we wasted all this time when I could’ve already shut her up. But come May 16th, in that co-main spot under Rousey and Carano, I’m bringing the fury. Shields thinks she’s confident? Wait till she feels my power. This ends with her on the canvas!”
“This fight has taken too long—way too damn long!” Cyborg exclaimed in a heated Instagram Live session. “I’ve been calling out Shields for years, and now it’s finally happening? About time! I’m angry, yeah—angry that we wasted all this time when I could’ve already shut her up. But come May 16th, in that co-main spot under Rousey and Carano, I’m bringing the fury. Shields thinks she’s confident? Wait till she feels my power. This ends with her on the canvas!”
The matchup adds an extra layer of intrigue to the Rousey-Carano headliner, a dream fight reviving the pioneers of women’s MMA. Promoters are billing the event as “Legends and Legacy,” with Shields vs. Cyborg serving as the perfect undercard explosive. Tickets for the May 16th spectacle at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas are already selling out, and fight fans are buzzing about potential fireworks both in and out of the ring.
As the countdown begins, one thing’s clear: Shields’ cool assurance clashes perfectly with Cyborg’s pent-up rage, setting the stage for what could be one of the most memorable women’s combat bouts in history. Stay tuned for more updates as fight week approaches.
