Multi-division boxing world champion Claressa Shields battled adversity and Brittney Elkin to earn a victory in her MMA debut Thursday night at PFL 4.
The event took place live on ESPN2 from Atlantic City while also streaming on ESPN+.
Shields, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, showed that she is still learning the MMA game early on. Elkin used her experience to gain control of the bout, but in the third, Shields dominated, taking her down and finishing her with ground-and-pound.
In the co-main event, Clay Collard battled past Joilton Lutterbach, earning a decision and advancing in the lightweight tournament.
Loik Radzhabov set a PFL lightweight record for the fastest stoppage in division history with a 27-second first round knockout over Akhmed Aliev to earn six points. With Olivier Aubin-Mercier’s unanimous decision win over Marcin Held later in the night, Radzhabov clinched a spot in the 2021 playoffs.
“What a thrilling event to kick off the second half of the PFL Regular Season, with five fighters clinching spots in the 2021 Playoffs and Claressa Shields putting an exclamation point on her MMA debut with a powerful knockout,” said Peter Murray, PFL CEO. “Tonight showcased intensity that only the Professional Fighters League can deliver with our unique true-season format, where every athlete faced a win-or-go-home scenario. I know that our two remaining Regular Season events will be spectacles delivering non-stop excitement, and I can’t wait to see our playoff field be rounded out.”
Natan Schulte picked up a victory on the prelims, keeping the former champion in the running to advance.
“PFL 4 continued the momentum from the first half of the Regular Season as our lightweights and featherweights delivered an outstanding event for the more than 550 million MMA fans across the globe,” said Ray Sefo, President of Fighter Operations of the PFL. “Our fighters demonstrated the mental and physical skills required to earn a spot in the PFL playoffs, and I can’t wait to see the Regular Season finales for our welterweights and light heavyweights next week.”
PFL 4 Results
Claressa Shields def. Brittney Elkin by 3rd round TKO (1:44)
Clay Collard def. Joilton Lutterbach by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Bubba Jenkins def. Bobby Moffett by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Brendan Loughnane def. Tyler Diamond by majority decision (29-27, 28-28, 30-27)
Natan Schulte def. Alexander Martinez by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 28-29)
Olivier Aubin-Mercier def. Marcin Held by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Loik Radzhabov def. Akhmed Aliev by 1st round KO (0:27)
Sheymon Moraes def. Jesse Stirn by 2nd round submission (4:59)
Chris Wade def. Arman Ospanov by 2nd round KO (2:18)