{"id":870310,"date":"2026-08-25T00:56:14","date_gmt":"2026-08-25T00:56:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/870310\/"},"modified":"2026-08-25T00:56:14","modified_gmt":"2026-08-25T00:56:14","slug":"john-martin-hails-cris-cyborg-addresses-potential-boxing-bout-with-claressa-shields","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/870310\/","title":{"rendered":"John Martin hails Cris Cyborg, addresses potential boxing bout with Claressa Shields"},"content":{"rendered":"


\nProfessional Fighters League<\/a> CEO John Martin had nothing but
\npraise for Cris
\nCyborg<\/a> after her victory in Tampa, Florida.<\/p>\n

Martin hailed Cyborg’s performance against Ketlen
\nVieira<\/a> at
\nPFL Tampa<\/a> and called the Brazilian superstar the most
\naccomplished women’s MMA fighter in history. Despite the fight
\nbeing closely contested, Martin believes Cyborg did enough to earn
\nthe victory. He also claims a switch to boxing is possible amidst
\nthe promotion\u2019s merger with
\nMost Valuable Promotions<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Cris Cyborg vs. Claressa Shields in boxing is certainly a
\npossibility with PFL-MVP merger
\n
\nMartin did not hold back on his appreciation for Cyborg after her
\nPFL win against Vieira.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you’ve never seen Cris Cyborg fight before, hopefully you can
\nget an appreciation and an understanding of what a legend this
\nfighter is,\u201d Martin said in a post-fight interview. \u201cThe most
\naccomplished women’s MMA fighter in history. She had a really tough
\nfight tonight, but for five rounds, she fought every single round
\nreally, really hard. I thought she absolutely won.\u201d<\/p>\n

Martin also praised Vieira for her performance despite missing
\nweight.<\/p>\n

\u201cKetlen Vieira showed up,\u201d he said. \u201cVery disappointing she didn’t
\nmake weight, but she came in. She put up a very great fight.\u201d<\/p>\n

The head of PFL was then asked about Cyborg\u2019s callout to Claressa
\nShields<\/a>, who recently won the WBA and WBC female middleweight
\ntitles by finishing Kaye Scott. Martin says it\u2019s certainly a
\npossibility with the new PFL-MVP merger.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, that would be fun to talk about with her,\u201d Martin said. \u201cI
\nmean, this is one of the things: since we’ve announced the merger
\nwith MVP, we can now talk to our MMA fighters about if they want to
\nbox; the possibility exists.\u201d<\/p>\n

PFL CEO John Martin<\/a>
\nrecaps the incredible night in Tampa \ud83d\udd25<\/p>\n

What a way to close out the PFL Summer Series!#PFLTampa<\/a>
\npresented by @visitspc<\/a> | \ud83d\udcfaLIVE
\nNOW on ESPN pic.twitter.com\/MsnMX466CL<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 PFL (@PFLMMA)
\nAugust 23, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n