Claressa Shields is firing back at Jake Paul amid backlash stemming from her recent altercation with fellow boxer Alycia Baumgardner at MVP MMA 1.
In a lengthy post shared Friday (May 22), Shields accused critics of ignoring what she described as previous disrespect and hypocrisy surrounding her treatment in combat sports.
“Why people lying on me saying I made fun of someone who had a brain bleed,” Shields wrote on X. “Let’s talk about @jakepaul celebrating me losing a split decision MMA fight while I had a concussion fighting!”
The undefeated boxing champion then referenced a previous social media post from Paul following her 2021 MMA loss to Abigail Montes, noting she had recently undergone medical treatment before competing.
“I literally had 8 stitches taken out of my head 2 weeks before this fight!” Shields wrote. “How soon do we forget!”
She also took aim at MVP’s branding around women’s boxing, mocking the promotion for allegedly elevating other fighters over her.
“And not Jake Paul calling one of his fighters the GWOAT,” she added alongside laughing emojis. “Take the heels off Jake!”
The post concluded with Shields referencing Paul’s boxing loss to Anthony Joshua, writing: “That’s why @anthonyjoshua wired your jaw. KARMA!!!”
The comments arrive days after Shields became embroiled in controversy following a physical confrontation with Alycia Baumgardner during Jake Paul’s inaugural MVP MMA 1 event in Las Vegas. Footage circulating online appeared to show the two champions exchanging words before Shields reached across and slapped Baumgardner during the heated exchange.
Following the incident, MVP announced Shields had been banned indefinitely from future company events, stating that physical altercations outside the ring were unacceptable and reflected poorly on women’s sports. Baumgardner later claimed she was “physically assaulted without provocation” and confirmed she intended to pursue legal action.
Shields quickly denied Baumgardner’s characterization of the incident, arguing the confrontation came after verbal threats and ongoing disrespect.
“That lil girl said ‘I’ll beat your ass right now’ after already disrespecting me,” Shields previously posted online, accusing Baumgardner of “playing victim.”
The multi-division undisputed champion also criticized MVP directly, claiming she previously declined a contract offer from Jake Paul’s company and dismissing the ban as meaningless.
“You can not ban me from a place I didn’t want to be,” Shields wrote in another post after the suspension became public.
