Cris Cyborg spars Claressa Shields
Claressa Shields is a two-time Olympic gold medalist in boxing, the only American boxer male or female to win consecutive Olympic medals.
Cris Cyborg is currently preparing for a UFC women’s featherweight title fight with Australia’s Megan Anderson at UFC 214 on July 29, 2017 at Honda Center in Anaheim, California. As usual, she is seeking out the highest level training.
Claressa Shields is a two-time Olympic gold medalist in boxing, the only American boxer male or female to win consecutive Olympic medals. Cris Cyborg is the best fighter in women’s mixed martial arts. Shields won her titles in the women’s middleweight division (165), while Cyborg competes at 145. The two recently sparred in the gym.
The difference in speed and technique between the two champions was evident. However, that is a sign of Cyborg’s excellence, not of any perceived shortcomings. Back in 2014, Cyborg had a kickboxing match with the greatest women’s kickboxer anywhere near her weight, the still undefeated Jorina Baars. It went to a decision, with Baars winning handily, but it showed that Cyborg is willing to step up to a nearly unprecedented level, for which she deserves respect.
https://twitter.com/Claressashields/status/879123182149447680
Note: video set to private.
Cyborg’s willingness to step up is of course not entirely without precedent. On August 26 UFC lightweight champion Conor McGregor will box Floyd Mayweather, the greatest boxer of his generation. It’s probably going to go pretty much like that you see above. The fighter will appear a little slow, a little tentative, a little out of element.
But when Conor McGregor loses, it’s not a sign that there is something wrong with either the fighter or the sport. To the contrary, being willing to step into someone else’s game and lose is a sign of greatness, the greatness of McGregor, the greatness of Cyborg, and the greatness of MMA.