"Unacceptable" - Jake Paul bans boxing star from all MVP events after backstage altercation

Jake Paul's Most Valuable Promotions has banned a five-weight world champion from all events after an incident at their debut MMA event on Netflix on Saturday.

Ronda Rousey submitted Gina Carano within 15 seconds in her final ever MMA fight at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California.

Mike Perry defeated Nate Diaz, while Francis Ngannou was also back in MMA action during the stacked card.

However the event was somewhat overshadowed after Claressa Shields appeared slap fellow boxer Alycia Baumgardner, who is signed to MVP.

The two rivals became embroiled in a fiery exchange, with footage showing Shields striking Baumgardner in a private backstage area as security intervened.

On Monday, MVP, the promotion Paul founded, issued a statement on the incident and confirmed that Shields will not be able to attend any events they put on until further notice.

MVP branded Shields' behaviour "unacceptable" but praised Baumgardner for not escalating the situation any further.

"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," the MVP statement read.

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."

Shields, a two-time Olympic gold medalist and the only female boxer in history to have held all four major world titles, is undefeated with a record of 18-0.

She and Baumgardner have never fought despite previous negotiations but Shields has accused her of using performance-enhancing drugs and slammed her performances in the ring.

They also had an April 2024 altercation when Shields smacked Baumgardner's hand and they were involved in an intense verbal confrontation.

Claressa Shields could face legal action for incident

Baumgardner has also responded to the controversy with a lengthy statement where she accused the self-proclaimed 'GWOAT' of "physical assault without provocation" and said the situation will be "handled legally and professionally".

The undisputed junior lightweight champion also provided a character assassination of Shields, who she said "continues to embarrass women's sports" with her conduct.

"When your purpose is to elevate, there will always be people who attempt to pull you down to the level from which they operate," she wrote on X.

"The situation that occurred on Saturday was unprovoked and entirely consistent with the individual involved. While attending Most Valuable Promotions' inaugural MMA event as a guest, I was physically assaulted without provocation. 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. That conduct is unacceptable and should not be tolerated in any professional sport.

"This behavior reflects a repeated pattern of hostility, chaos, and attention-seeking conduct that continues to embarrass women's sports.

"This situation has been and will continue to be handled legally and professionally.

"My focus remains far beyond individuals who lack discipline, professionalism, and self-control — inside or outside the ring.

"I have spent my career representing myself, my family, and the sport of boxing with class, integrity, and respect. I will continue to do so.

"I want to congratulate Most Valuable Promotions and Netflix on an event that continues to raise the ceiling for women's combat sports, and I look forward to continuing to be a positive force in the evolution of the sport."