Credit: Vanessa Demopoulos/Instagram

Boxing superstar Shakur Stevenson got a rough slice of humble pie training with UFC fighter Vanessa Demopoulos in Las Vegas.

Boxing champion Shakur Stevenson may have a new appreciation for mixed martial arts after training with one of the sport’s best grapplers.

Stevenson, arguably the best pound-for-pound boxer in the world, has repeatedly dismissed MMA fighters in recent months. The boxing star was in a brief back-and-forth social media feud with former UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria, after Topuria touted his chances against Stevenson in a crossover fight.

Stevenson’s MMA vs. Boxing remarks caused a social media firestorm and ignited a fierce debate in combat sports. UFC Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier, Joaquin Buckley, and others criticized Stevenson’s comments.

Despite the recent criticism, Stevenson remains a fan of MMA and has been in attendance for several high-profile fights in recent months. He sat cageside at UFC 329 for Conor McGregor’s short-lived return against Max Holloway.

Earlier this week, Stevenson got the chance to grapple with UFC fighter Vanessa Demopoulos, and it didn’t go well for the boxing champion.

WATCH: Shakur Stevenson taps to Vanessa Demopoulos after Boxing vs. MMA remarks

Watch Stevenson grapple with Demopoulos below.

Shakur Stevenson got humbled grappling with UFC fighter Vanessa Demopoulos after claiming he could beat someone in the UFC 😭

“I ain’t never been put in that kind of situation. I’m good in boxing.”

(via @monster_demo) pic.twitter.com/7xwdXHg73C

— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) September 3, 2026

Luckily, Stevenson seemed to take the grappling session in stride.

Stevenson signed with Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing promotion earlier this year and could potentially target matchups with Gervonta Davis and Devin Haney. As of this writing, Stevenson’s return to the ring remains unannounced.

Demopoulos is scheduled to fight Yazmin Jaurgui on September 26th on the Raul Rosas Jr. vs. Raoni Barcelos undercard. She’s looking to snap a three-fight skid.

The debate between whether Boxing or MMA is more appealing rages on. But Stevenson likely has newfound appreciation for what MMA fighters go through after spending time training with Demopoulos and her team.

Is Shakur Stevenson the best pound-for-pound boxer in the world? Share your thoughts in the comments!

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