Alycia Baumgardner, the current WBC female super featherweight champion, has turned the combat sports world on its head by making two massive announcements. Not only has she decided to extend her horizons by confirming her MMA debut, but she has also called out Claressa Shields, the decorated boxing and MMA athlete.
Baumgardner, a force to be reckoned with in the boxing ring, has, time and again, exemplified the epitome of athletic brilliance and discipline. Her lightning-quick speed and precision, coupled with such an impactful announcement, inevitably set the stage for a significant stir in women’s combat sports.
The Ohio native seemingly revels in challenges, as evidenced by her recent callout of Shields. “I see a fight against Claressa Shields as an opportunity to elevate my career and women’s boxing,” Baumgardner stated in a recent interview. The robustly accomplished Shields, who boasts an impressive unbeaten record in boxing and burgeoning MMA prowess, is respected widely in combat sports circles, marking the callout as an audacious move from Baumgardner.
It’s evident that Baumgardner perceives a potential encounter with Shields as a steppingstone to potentially immortalize her legacy in the annals of female boxing. She also made mention of the immense respect she has for Shields’ barriers-breaking accomplishments in both boxing and MMA. “Claressa has proven herself in both spheres – boxing and MMA, and fighting her would be an honor as well as a challenge,” added Baumgardner.
Fans are yearning to witness this clash of titans with bated breath. However, this match’s anticipation is doubly heightened by the revelation that Baumgardner is gearing up to make her MMA debut. This drastic shift in her career trajectory looks set to place her shoulder-to-shoulder with Shields, who has already made a successful crossover into the realm of MMA.
Baumgardner’s addition to the MMA landscape signifies an even more expansive women’s division. And while she embarks on this MMA journey, it can’t be emphasized enough how this move could spur a bevy of crossover fights between boxing and MMA – a concept that has been gaining quite the traction recently.
The ‘Bomb’ Baumgardner, responsibly known for her explosive performance inside the ring, promises to bring the same intensity and precision to the octagon, stirring excitement among her fan base and combat sports enthusiasts.
While these announcements incite intrigue and set the stage for a litany of intriguing contests, it confirms one thing for sure; Alycia Baumgardner is brave enough to step out of her comfort zone and test her mettle across multiple combat sport disciplines.
The announcement of both a potential bout with Shields and the planned MMA debut only accentuate the dynamic career journey Baumgardner is on. It remains to be seen how these two big announcements translate into boxing ring action and the octagon. However, one thing is certain – Baumgardner’s resolve to make inroads into both these combat sports realms surely stamps her authority as one of the premier athletes of her generation.
As we stand on the precipice of potentially game-changing events in women’s combat sports, Baumgardner’s daring choices leave fans, enthusiasts, and pundits eagerly waiting for the future unfoldings in her career.
