No big layoff for Claressa Shields -- the boxing champ turned MMA sensation says the plan is to get back in the cage in 2 to 3 months!!
The 26-year-old is coming off a stunning victory in her MMA debut on Thursday -- pummeling Brittney Elkin so brutally at PFL 4, the ref stopped the fight.
CLARESSA SHIELDS WINS BY GROUND AND POUND @SpinninBackfist pic.twitter.com/gyFuaGqVh3
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) June 11, 2021
Shields is still FIRED UP about the win and tells TMZ Sports ... a TON of her famous friends have been blowing up her phone to send love -- from Halle Berry to Ray Lewis, Dwight Howard and more!
But, Claressa isn't spending too much time celebrating -- she'll be back in the gym to start training for her next MMA fight in just a few weeks!!
"I have another MMA fight I believe in August or September … and [after that] we're saving the end of the year for boxing."
Why so much activity?
"I'm young and I'm hungry," Shields says ... noting she's busted her ass in boxing but never got the paychecks she believes she deserves.
Shields strongly believes the path to becoming rich is through MMA -- and says, "I believe that I'll be a millionaire sooner than we think."
The end goal isn't just money ... Shields says the goal is to become champion in both sports -- and she's convinced it'll happen in due time.
Look, Shields knows her performance could have been better -- especially when it comes to her ground game, but she's dedicated to working on her weaknesses in the gym and wants to become a well-rounded fighter.
"We got a long way to go, but I'm happy to start [my career with a win] and take care of business."
Congrats to the GWOAT!!