Most Valuable Promotions has banned Claressa Shields from all of its events following a physical altercation with Alycia Baumgardner at MVP MMA1.
The incident took place Saturday, May 16, in a private VIP area at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, during the promotion’s inaugural MMA card, which was headlined by the comeback fight between Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano.
"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’s statement reads. “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."
In its statement, the Jake Paul–co-founded promotion, which partnered with Netflix for MVP MMA1, reiterated its stance on conduct at 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 promotion said, adding, "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."
Baumgardner, who is promoted by MVP, also addressed the situation, saying, "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," and adding, "That conduct is unacceptable and should not be tolerated in any professional sport."
