Claressa Shields found herself banned from future MVP events after a tense confrontation with boxer Alycia Baumgardner turned into chaos.
Undisputed boxing champion Claressa Shields has been suspended indefinitely from all MVP promotions after she got into a physical altercation with Alycia Baumgardner during Saturday night’s MVP MMA event at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California.
A tense confrontation at the Jake Paul-backed promotion’s “Rusey vs. Carano” MMA event on Saturday night quickly turned chaotic when Baumgardner approached Shields and extended his hand, seemingly in a gesture of peace. Instead, Shields slapped the hand away and rushed forward before security rushed in to separate the fighters.
The confrontation took place in a private VIP area during the event, which was streamed on Netflix. Cellphone footage captured the incident and spread online.
Now MVP has responded powerfully.
“Most Valuable Promotions is aware of an incident that occurred during MVP Rousey’s match against Carano on Saturday night involving physical contact between Claressa Shields and Alycia Baumgardner,” the company said in a lengthy statement released on Monday.
“MVP has a strict zero-tolerance policy regarding hostile, threatening or offensive behavior toward fighters, staff, media or guests at any of our events.”
The promotion added that Shields’ actions “reflect poorly on MVP and women’s sports, which we have worked tirelessly to improve.”
“Effective immediately, Clarissa Shields has been suspended from all MVP events until further notice,” the statement continued. “There is a time and place for boxers to get nervous and joke around, but physically attacking other athletes as a guest in a private VIP area is unacceptable.”
The feud between the two undisputed champions has been brewing for months. Shields has repeatedly criticized Baumgardner’s performance and publicly questioned her status among elite female fighters. Shields also previously accused Baumgardner of doping after Baumgardner tested positive. She challenged the ruling and the suspension was lifted.
With such a huge weight difference between the two, the likelihood of a real fight being slim. Shields competes at middleweight, while Baumgardner dominates at lightweight, with a 30-pound difference.
Shields defended her actions on X/Twitter.
“I will continue to respectfully give bitches hell,” Shields posted.
“That little girl disrespected me and then said, ‘I’m going to spank you right now.’ Now you’re being graceful and playing the victim,” she continued. “Can’t go around threatening people, accept this 👋🏾 and try to take your tongue back! #GWOAT”
Baumgardner has yet to respond publicly to the confrontation.
