Claressa Shields speaks out after MVP (Most Valuable Promotions) banned her for slapping Alycia Baumgardner. She alleges she was “continuously verbally attacked, threatened, and discriminated against” before the viral altercation.
RELATED: Claressa Shields Banned From MVP Events After Backstage Slapdown With Alycia Baumgardner; Facing Legal Action
MVP Bans Claressa Shields From All Events UFN After Slapping Alycia Baumgardner During Rousey Vs Carano MMA Event
As we previously shared, MVP — a boxing and MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) promotion company founded by Jake Paul — issued a statement condemning Shields. The incident took place on Saturday evening (May 16), during MVP’s Ronda Rousey vs Gina Carano MMA event. Cameras caught Shields arguing with Baumgarden and then slapping her in the face.
On Monday (May 18), MVP announced it was “banning Claressa Shields from all MVP events until further notice.” The company condemned her actions, claiming, “MVP maintains a strict zero-tolerance policy for hostile, threading, or aggressive behavior toward fighters, staff, media, or guests at any 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.”
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Alycia Baumgardner Speaks After Claressa Shields Slaps Her During MVP’s Rousey Vs Carano MMA Event
Baumgarden ended up reposting the ban announcement on her X account. Before that, she issued her own statement condemning the “unprovoked” and “entirely consistent” situation with Shields.
“When your purpose is to elevate, there will always be people who attempt to pull you down to the level from which they operate. The situation that occurred on Saturday was unprovoked and entirely consistent with the individual involved. While attending Most Valuable Promotions inaugural MMA event as a guest, I was physically assaulted without provocation.
This behavior follows a continued pattern from someone who has publicly celebrated other fighters’ brain injuries, initiated one-sided altercations at press conferences, and consistently displayed hostility toward other women. That conduct is unacceptable and should not be tolerated in any professional sport. This behavior reflects a repeated pattern of hostility, chaos, and attention-seeking conduct that continues to embarrass women’s sports. This situation has been and will continue to be handled legally and professionally.
My focus remains far beyond individuals who lack discipline, professionalism, and self-control – inside or outside the ring. I have spent my career representing myself, my family, and the sport of boxing with class, integrity, and respect. I will continue to do so. I want to congratulate Most Valuable Promotions and Netflix on an event that continues to raise the ceiling for women’s combat sports, and I look forward to continuing to be a positive force in the evolution of the sport.”
RELATED: Papoose Tells Claressa Shields He ‘Loves Her To Death’ After Signing To His Label With Historic $8M Deal; She Later Denies Pregnancy Rumors After Signing Party Speculation
Claressa Shields Slams MVP’s ‘Weak A** Ban’ After Slapping Alycia Baumgardner, Alleges Fighter Threatened And Provoked Her
Before Baumgarden’s announcement and MVP’s ban, Shields took to her X with videos of the altercation. She said she was indeed provoked and alleged Baumgarden “disrespected her,” and then said, “I’ll beat your a** right now, b*tch.” She insisted she never “sucker punched” or “snuck” Baumgarden — whom allegedly “threatened” and called her out of her name.
Following Baumgarden and MVP’s announcements, Shields made her own. She reposted another clip of the alteration and said,
“I have dedicated my life to the sport of boxing. Through the grace of God I have been blessed. My talent has allowed me to undeniably take woman’s boxing to a new level. That doesn’t stop at the ring. What circulated online does not tell the full story. Until now. I do not condone violence. I never have. But I am also not someone who will stand in silence while continuously being verbally attacked, threatened, discriminated against or assasinate my character. Nor will I allow the reality of disrespect turn into a narrative or talking point about colorism or envy.
There is a documented history of attacks and threats by this person that led to this moment, and that history will speak for itself. There is a difference between aggression and protection. I stand on integrity. I stand on what l’ve built. I’m a champion. I carry that everywhere I go not just in title, but in how I move, what l protect, and what I refuse to accept. I’ve fought too hard and come too far to let anyone rewrite my story or define my character. Any further false allegations, or defamation of character will be handled accordingly by my legal team.”
In a second post, directed at MVP, she slammed their “weak a** ban,” claimed, “Y’all fighter threatened me and then played victim,” and said, “Y’all lying on me is NOTHING NEW!”
“Now To MVP, y’all tried to sign me, I declined! You can not ban me from a place I didn’t want to be! I can go fight anywhere in the world Tomorrow! So any one who think this weak a** ban matters it don’t 😂! Those false statements will be addressed too. Y’all fighter threatening me and then playing victim is insane. MVP y’all lying on me is NOTHING NEW! Since you guys came out the gate, nothing but disrespect! Calling y’all fighters ‘the Real GWOAT,’ overlooking my accomplishments, trying to erase my hard work in women’s boxing 🥊 & constantly trying to assassinate my character with LIES!”
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