Michael Bisping, never short of an opinion, didn’t take long to weigh in on the trans fighter Alana McLaughlin issue. Speaking on the Believe You Me podcast, Bisping declared the fighter’s presence in the women’s division “unfair to women’s MMA”, stressing that he has no issues with trans right, but draws the line at combat sports in particular.
“I’m not here to talk about transgender rights, you can identify as whatever you want. But I do believe that if you’re a woman that feels trapped in a man’s body, there are certain advantages that you should have to give up.
Bisping Blasts Transgender Fighter Alana McLaughlin
If you have the body of a man, competing against girls or women, when you’re using your body to beat someone unconscious, has to be one of those things you sacrifice.
If you want to play volleyball, soccer, be my guest. But in a sport that you beat someone into submission or unconsciousness, it shouldn’t be allowed. It’s unfair to women’s MMA.”
The presence of trans athletes in women’s sport continues to be a controversial one. Bisping is just one of many voices levelling criticism at McLaughlin, a trans woman, for fighting against women. McLaughlin recently submitted Celine Provost via a vicious rear naked choke in the second round.
UFC fighter Jake Shields took to Twitter to express disdain for the bout, posting photos of a pre-transition McLaughlin. The caption reads:
“This is the “women” mma fighter that they just allowed to beat up a girl in Florida So brave of “her” to transition then live “her” dream of beating up women”
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UFC Bantamweight sensation Sean O’Malley also weighed in on the issue on his YouTube channel, saying:
“I don’t think that’s okay. I just don’t think that’s okay… in just competing in sports, I mean, especially mixed. It’s like she had testosterone for, who knows, 20, 30 years of her life and now I’m a girl. And look at that, you could tell that’s a dude. A jacked girl. I mean, look at those arms.”
McLaughlin served in the US Special Forces as a medical sergeant prior to transitioning, part of “an elite, 12-man team”. In order to compete in women’s mixed martial arts, McLaughlin had to pass rigorous hormone-level testing.
Do you think trans women should be allowed to compete in women’s MMA? Let us know in the comments.
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