Whats next for Claressa Shields after she wins MMA debut by TKO?
FLINT  Professional Fighters League CEO Peter Murray wants to see Claressa Shields back in the octagon at least one more time this year before deciding what the future holds in MMA for the three-division world boxing champion from Flint. Shields made her MMA debut Thursday night against Brittney Elkin, scoring a TKO at 1:44 of the third and final round at Ocean Casino Resort in Atlantic City. This is just her first step to prove to herself that she has really what it takes to make the 22 season, said Murray, who wants Shields to fight one more time in PFL before the end of the year. If Shields participates in the full 2022 season, she would be eligible for the PFL playoffs and $1 million top prize. Shields could also return to boxing since the multi-year contract she signed with PFL last November says she can participate in both sports if she wishes. Shields has said she doesnt plan to abandon her boxing career  she has an 11-0 record and is the only fighter in history to unify two weight divisions  but there has been no talk of a pending bout. After the victory over Elkin, Twitter lit up with praise for Shields, a two-time Olympic boxing gold medalist who won world boxing titles in three weight divisions before crossing over to MMA. Among those impressed with her debut was Hall of Fame football player Ray Lewis, the former Baltimore Raven linebacker who owns a piece of the PFL and serves on its advisory board. The genius of champions making transitions is they start all over and dont care, Lewis said in an Associated Press story. Lot of people are afraid to start over. They end their careers, Im stuck, Im good. But when you make that transition, youre chasing something else. I think shes chasing something else and just thats good to see. I just love her adapting to it.  Shields goal is to win an MMA world championship while still holding a boxing championship in addition to becoming a millionaire. To do so, shes going to need to use her legs more often in MMA bouts. She only spent seven months training for the bout vs. Elkin and relied on her fists to win the bout. She attempted just three leg kicks, landing two, while connecting with 88 punches. She finished off Elkin after taking her to the canvas early in the third round and then pummeling her with right hands to the head until the referee stopped the bout. Elkin, 34, landed the majority of her 43 total strikes when she took Shields, 26, to the canvas less than a minute into the second round and kept her there for almost four full minutes. Elkin won the first two rounds before Shields recorded a perfect performance rating of 100 in the third. Elkins performance rating in the third was 2. Both fighters recorded one takedown. Greatest MMA Debut comeback ever!!!! ! Shields said on Facebook. Elkin (3-7) hadnt fought since January 2019, when she suffered an injury that led to her retirement before she was offered the bout vs. Shields. MORE:  Claressa Shields rallies to win MMA debut with TKO  Shields ready to pursue world championships in two sports  How to watch ESPN+ series on Claressa Shields  Potential fame and fortune drew Shields to MMA  Claressa Shields signs contract to join MMA  Shields wins undisputed super welterweight title