Photos: Abigail Montes Stuns Claressa Shields With Split Nod in MMA Bout

Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Hollywood, Florida - Abigail Montes (3-0, 1 KO) used her skills on the ground to stay unbeaten, as she handed two-time Olympic gold medal winner Claressa Shields (1-1, 1 KO) a loss in her second MMA bout.

The scores were 29-28 for Shields, 29-28 for Montes and 29-28 for Montes.

Shields made her MMA debut back in June, when she stopped Brittney Elkin in the third round. 

Montes began the fight in the first first round by pacing around the cage. Shields was staying patient and looking to land something big with her hands. Eventually Montes grabbed Shields and they were grappling for position against the cage for much of the round. Shields did well to avoid attacks. 

In the second, it didn't take long before they were back to grapping against the cage. Shields eventually broke free and was landing punches. Montes shot in and took Shields down. It took a bit of time, but Shields would eventually get herself off the mat and took the fight back to the feet.

Shields had the offensive advantage at the start of the third. Montes got Shields against the cage again, but Shields continued to hold her own and eventually broke away, taking the fight back to the feet and was dishing out most of the offense. Montes would soon shoot in and take Shields down again. Montes was on top, but not doing much offense. In the final 30 seconds, Montes was able to fully mount and she was unloading with punches until the final bell - most of the shots were missing or were being blocked, but some were connecting.

Shields (11-0, 2 KOs in boxing) is scheduled to defend her IBF, WBC, WBA middleweight titles against mandatory challenger Ema Kozin on December 11 in the UK.

A win could send her to a 2022 grudge match showdown with WBO middleweight champion Savannah Marshall, who also fights on the December card.