Most Valuable Promotions has banned boxing star Claressa Shields from its events after an altercation with MVP-backed fighter Alycia Baumgardner at MVP MMA1, prompting an exchange that turned physical and sparked accusations from Baumgardner.
Claressa Shields had barely left the heated exchange behind at MVP MMA1 before Most Valuable Promotions moved to shut the door. After Shields got into a physical altercation with MVP-backed boxer Alycia Baumgardner, the promotion announced that Shields is now banned from events prompted by MVP.
The incident unfolded at MVP MMA1, the event headlined by the comeback fight between Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano on Saturday, May 16, at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California. MVP, co-founded by Jake Paul, partnered with Netflix to promote its inaugural MMA event.
In a statement, MVP said the fight for attention turned into something it couldn’t accept: “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 added that it wanted to recognize the response from venue security, saying it addressed and de-escalated the situation quickly. The promotion also pointed to Baumgardner’s decision not to retaliate: “We 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.”.
Video circulated from the event showing Shields and Baumgardner in a heated verbal exchange. The footage shows Shields reaching out and appearing to make contact with Baumgardner. In a statement issued on X, Baumgardner said she was assaulted and the situation was unprovoked.
“Shields’ conduct is unacceptable and should not be tolerated in any professional sport,” Baumgardner wrote. She also said the behavior followed what she described as a continuing pattern: “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.”.
Shields and Baumgardner are both top-level champions. Shields, 31, is a two-time Olympic gold medal winner, holds a pro record of 18-0, and is described as the undisputed heavyweight champion. Baumgardner, 31, is listed as 18-1 and the unified female featherweight champion.
MVP said it has a strict policy for behavior inside its events. “MVP maintains a strict zero-tolerance policy for hostile. threatening. or aggressive behavior toward fighters. staff. media. or guests at any of our events. ” the company said. “Physical altercations outside the ring or cage are unacceptable in any MVP environment.”.
The statement continued: “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.”
The event’s broader spotlight—Rousey and Carano’s comeback fight, along with MVP’s Netflix-backed debut—now carries an additional, sharper headline: the moment a rivalry crossed from words into contact, and the promotion’s decision that it would not be repeated on its watch.
Claressa Shields MVP Alycia Baumgardner Most Valuable Promotions MVP MMA1 Ronda Rousey Gina Carano Intuit Dome Jake Paul Netflix women's boxing heavyweight champion featherweight champion