Claressa Shields has been banned from all future Most Valuable Promotions events following a very public, physical altercation with fellow boxing star Alycia Baumgardner during MVP MMA 1 in Los Angeles.
The promotion announced the decision on Monday in a statement shared on X, following a video that circulated online showing the two fighters arguing inside a VIP section at Intuit Dome over the weekend. During the exchange, Shields appeared to slap Baumgardner’s hand after she allegedly threatened to “beat her a–.”
Claressa Shields has been banned from all MVP events after slapping Alycia Baumgardner at the Ronda Rousey fight
— Happy Punch (@HappyPunch) May 19, 2026
Alycia says she’s also taking legal action pic.twitter.com/yC4kwCi0je
Her boyfriend, Papoose, was also present.
“Effective immediately, Claressa Shields is banned from all MVP events until further notice,” the promoter said in a statement. “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 also addressed its conduct policy in the statement.
Imma continue giving bitches hell respectfully that lil ass girl said “I’ll beat your ass right now” after already disrespecting me. Now you classy and playing victim. Can’t go around threatening people, take that & try and GET YOUR LICK BACK! #GWOAT pic.twitter.com/ivUmSpe97t
— Claressa Gwoat Shields (@Claressashields) May 18, 2026
“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 statement continued. “Physical altercations outside the ring or cage are unacceptable in any MVP environment.”
Shields later addressed the incident on social media, claiming Baumgardner had been verbally aggressive but Baumgardner called the incident “unprovoked.”
The EXACT Words That Made Claressa Shields SLAP Baumgardner — NEW… https://t.co/I9bib4CuP2 via @YouTube
— Claressa Gwoat Shields (@Claressashields) May 18, 2026
“The situation that occurred on Saturday was unprovoked and entirely consistent with the individual involved,” she said, adding that she was “physically assaulted without provocation.”
She also said the matter “has been and will continue to be handled legally and professionally.”
