A years-long rivalry between two of women’s boxing’s biggest names crossed a dangerous line Saturday night. Claressa Shields has been banned from all events promoted by Most Valuable Promotions following a physical altercation with fellow champion Alycia Baumgardner inside an exclusive VIP area during MVP MMA 1 at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California.
Video captured backstage showed Shields reaching across and slapping Baumgardner in the face. Both fighters were quickly separated by security and officials who were standing nearby. The incident occurred during MVP and Netflix’s first foray into MMA, headlined by Ronda Rousey’s comeback fight against Gina Carano, and also featuring Francis Ngannou and a veteran clash between Nate Diaz and Mike Perry.
MVP issued a formal statement Monday evening.
“There is a time and a place for fighter tension and banter, but to physically attack a fellow athlete while there as a guest inside a private VIP area is unacceptable,” the promotion said, adding its appreciation that Baumgardner “did not retaliate and further amplify the situation.” The statement concluded: “Effective immediately, Claressa Shields is banned from all MVP events until further notice.”
Baumgardner, one of MVP’s emerging flagship names in women’s boxing, described the incident as an unprovoked physical assault and indicated legal action is being pursued. Shields disputed that account on X, claiming Baumgardner had verbally threatened her first, writing: “That lil a** girl said ‘I’ll beat your a** right now’ after already disrespecting me. Now you classy and playing victim.”
The feud stretches back years, fueled by social media exchanges, drug test accusations, and disputes over who holds the top spot in women’s boxing. A sanctioned fight, however, remains unlikely — Baumgardner last competed at 129 pounds while Shields recently fought at 174, a gap of more than 44 pounds.
