Claressa Shields has been ‘banned’ from all future Most Valuable Promotions events following an altercation with Alycia Baumgardner at last weekend’s Rousey vs Carano show in California.
The pair were in attendance for Most Valuable Promotions’ first MMA event, and Netflix’s first foray into the combat sport. The card was topped by Ronda Rousey’s 17-second win over Gina Carano, and also featured the return of Francis Ngannou as well as a veteran clash between Nate Diaz and Mike Perry.
On the boxing side of things, Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian’s MVP has built the strongest stable of female fighters in the sport, of which Baumgardner is emerging as a leading star.
The unified super-featherweight champion has been embroiled in a beef with five-division titlist Shields, with plenty of back and forth on social media. When the pair came face-to-face in a VIP area at the event, Shields appeared to slap Baumgardner.
Days later, MVP has announced that ‘The GWOAT’ will no longer be permitted to attend any of its events.
“Most Valuable Promotions is aware of the incident during MVP’s Rousey vs. Carano event on Saturday night involving physical contact by Claressa Shields toward Alycia Baumgardner.
“MVP maintains a strict zero-tolerance policy for hostile, threatening, or aggressive behavior toward fighters, staff, media, or guests at any of our events. Physical altercations outside the ring or cage are unacceptable in any MVP environment. MVP does not condone, tolerate, or accept Claressa Shields’ behavior in that setting and it reflects poorly on MVP and women’s sports, which we have worked tirelessly to uplift.
“Effective immediately, Claressa Shields is banned from all MVP events until further notice. 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.
“MVP would like to thank venue security for their swift response in addressing and de-escalating the situation and appreciate Alycia Baumgardner not retaliating and further amplifying the situation. We remain committed to maintaining a safe, respectful, and professional environment for all participants and attendees at our events and will continue to enforce these standards without exception.”
Shields is yet to respond.
