PFL HIDDEN GEMS

CLARESSA SHIELDS AND ANTHONY PETTIS WILL LAY IT ALL ON THE LINE THIS THURSDAY JUNE 10

In a week with headlines dominated by UFC 263, the PFL event Thursday is one that needs to be on the radar of MMA fans. This card has two major storylines that could shake up the sport. First, we see the potential start of a new era with the MMA debut of Claressa Shields. Shields is a two division world champion boxer and is undefeated as a pro. The boxer also went 77-1 as an amatuer fighter winning two olympic gold medals. Not to be understated, she could very well be the greatest women’s boxer of all time. That being said boxers have not typically enjoyed great success in MMA. They often struggle with kicks, takedowns and are fish out of water on the mat. I believe we are looking at a completely different situation here. Claressa Shields will likely have a size and athleticism advantage every time she steps in the octagon; not to mention the best hands the women’s game has seen to date. This will allow her to manage her lack of experience at the beginning of her career. She is also surrounding herself with elites in the MMA world by training at Jackson Wink MMA in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The gym is home to fighters like Jon Jones, Holly Holm and many others. With the most anticipated women’s debut in years happening tomorrow, it is hard to know what to expect. I have a feeling we could be on the path to a Nunes/Shields super fight in the next couple years.

“MMA FANS NEED TO BOW DOWN AND KISS MY FEET AND THROW ROSE PETALS BECAUSE I'M ACTUALLY MAKING THE TRANSITION. I'M NOT JUST SAYING IT. I'M ACTUALLY DOING IT. SO GIVE ME MY PROPS. NEVER SAY THAT CLARESSA SHIELDS IS SCARED ON NOBODY” - CLARESSA SHIELDS

The start of one era could be met with the definitive end of another. The co-main event of the card is a bout between Anthony Pettis and Alex Martinez. A fight that could mark the end of a great career for Pettis if he loses. Despite being on a skid at the end of his UFC contract, Pettis finished with a win against Alex Morono. The win looked like it could be the start of a resurgence, but after a loss in his PFL debut he is yet again fighting with his back against the wall. The fight marks a quick turn around given the amount of damage he took last time out. However, I think the former UFC champion and only MMA fighter ever put on the Wheaties box is game for the challenge. A hungry Pettis should go out and get a win over the less experienced Martinez. Granted his best days are most likely behind him, I am not ready to say goodbye to the legend named Anthony ‘Showtime' Pettis.

GEEK WRITER: GOOSEY