Sport3 min(s) read
Published 14:38 19 May 2026 GMT
Jake Paul has banned one of the most decorated female boxers of all time from his promotion company's future events.
The influencer-turned-businessman was forced to act following an incident that took place at MVP and Netflix's debut MMA event at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California.
The night will best be remembered for the headline fight between Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano, which saw the former come out on top within just 17 seconds.
Despite this success, there was a heated exchange between two combat fighters backstage, involving multiple-division world champion Claressa Shields, 31, and MVP-backed unified super featherweight world champion Alycia Baumgardner.
The incident turned ugly when undisputed heavyweight champion Shields slapped Baumgardner in the face, with a video of the altercation going viral.
In the aftermath, MVP has now been forced to act against Shields.
A statement from MVP reads: "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."
The ban is a huge move by the company, as Shields is the only female boxer in history to have held all four major world titles - WBA, WBC, IBF, and WBO - in three weight classes.
She is only the third female boxer to become a champion in five different divisions, after Amanda Serrano and Naoko Fujioka.
Shields is now blocked off from competing in some of the biggest fights in women's boxing by having her ties cut from MVP.
Paul's promotion company actually boasts the largest female roster in the entire sport, and to rub salt into the wounds, fans were anticipating a massive match-up between Shields and Mikaela Mayer.
Now, Mayer and all the fighters on MVP's books are off-limits to the world champion.
