Outrage after transgender MMA fighter defeats French woman

A victory by a transgender MMA fighter – who once served in the US Army Special Forces – over a French woman prompted an immediate backlash on social media from many who say it is unfair for a trans woman to compete against a cis-gendered athlete in the sport. 

‘A biological male getting into a cage and kicking a woman around’ is not progress, said conservative talk show host Benedict Spence.

Alana McLaughlin, 38, won her first professional fight at the Combate Global prelims Friday by forcing Celine Provost into submission with chokehold in the second round. 

Adrian Hilton, a university lecturer, tweeted sarcastically that while ‘opportunity is endless’ for women in sports, it doesn’t apply in this case.

‘When a former US Army Special Forces soldier becomes a trans woman #MMA fighter and chokes a female competitor into submission, I’m not sure the opportunity for women in sport is any longer endless,’ he wrote.

Alana McLaughlin (right), 38, became the second openly transgender MMA fighter in the United States over the weekend, making her debut in Florida. She won her debut match over Celine Provost (left) of France – reigniting the debate over trans women in sports 

McLaughlin defeated Provost in the second round with a rear naked chokehold

McLaughlin defeated Provost in the second round with a rear naked chokehold 

Alana McLaughlin, born Ryan, began her transition in 2010 after leaving the US Army Special Forces

Alana McLaughling

McLaughlin, born Ryan, began her transition in 2010 after leaving the US Army Special Forces

The match provoked outrage on social media where Twitter users said it wasn't a fair fight

The match provoked outrage on social media where Twitter users said it wasn’t a fair fight

McLaughlin, who began her transition in 2010 after spending six years in the US Army special forces, responded to the backlash on Twitter.

‘I’m getting a lot of variations of the same nasty messages calling me a cheater like I didn’t just get beat on for a round and a half. Y’all need to show Céline Provost some respect and take your concern trolling elsewhere.’ 

‘Transphobes are just making my block hand stronger.’   

Combat sports podcaster Angel David Castro wrote: ‘Alana McLaughlin transitioned 5 years ago, which means that “she” lived 33 years of her life as a man.’ 

‘Tonight McLaughlin fought and beat a biological woman… what a shock.’ 

MMA commentator @SafeBetMMA wrote: ‘I think people can identify with whatever they like but I don’t think this has a place in combat sports.’

‘Y’all think this is ok and empowering to transgenders?’

‘I respect trans rights; however, how is this fair, seriously?’ wrote another commentator on Twitter.

‘I respect trans rights all day but this is an unfair advantage,’ posted another.

‘Alternative headline: “Man cheats,”‘ posted Jessica O’Donnell, a writer for the Blaze in the replies to a New York Post article about the win. 

McLaughlin had been training for more than a year in preparation for the bout, and said finding an opponent was a 'nightmare.'

Alana McLaughlin

McLaughlin had been training for more than a year in preparation for the bout, and said finding an opponent was a ‘nightmare.’

Others in feminist circles regarded the bout as an example of abuse.

”Male violence against women as a public sport? #NoThankYou,’ posted Genevieve Gluck, a contributor to Canadian feminist website Feminist Current.

Many agreed. 

‘Wow. I did not foresee the day we applauded men beating women,’ one response read. ‘What a stunningly brave new world.’ 

‘This is disgusting and dangerous,’ another posted. 

McLaughlin is the second openly transgender athlete to fight MMA professionally in the US, following Fallon Fox who made history in 2012 with her debut, and who retired in 2014. 

‘I want to pick up the mantle that Fallon put down,’ she told Outsports. 

Provost, 35, a school teacher from suburban Paris, said she had no qualms about getting into the ring with an opponent who was born a man.

‘I train with men that are stronger than me all of the time,’ Provost told The Guardian ahead of Friday’s fight.

‘It doesn’t bother me at all. We need to show that MMA is an inclusive sport.’

Not much is known about Provost, who is reportedly an MMA fighter who has been training on and off for 10 years. 

But critics on Twitter accused Provost of being ‘naive.’

‘She seems naive to all the physical advantages her transgender opponent has over her,’ wrote one Twitter user.

‘I can’t believe this is even legal in the name of sport.’

The Twitter user added the hashtag #SaveWomensSports. 

Another Twitter user commented: ‘Doesn’t matter what you call it, all I see is a dude trying to beat girl up.

‘The difference in aggression, movement & coordination is striking, even at the poor level McLaughlin is showing.

‘Condoning this will eventually lead to tragic accidents.’

Helen Rogers, who describes herself as a historian on twitter, referred to an image of the two opponents after the fight: ‘Oh look… Celine Provost’s face just happens to have been blocked out of this shot of the male who has been allowed by MMA to win women’s completion by claiming to be female.

‘This is not sport. It’s cheating and robbery.’ 

 

Not much is known about Provost, who is reportedly an MMA fighter who has been training on and off for 10 years. She is seen left in an MMA bout from 2015

Not much is known about Provost, who is reportedly an MMA fighter who has been training on and off for 10 years. She is seen left in an MMA bout from 2015

McLaughlin had been training for more than a year in preparation for the bout, she told ESPN, which had originally scheduled to televise the event in August but postponed the broadcast after Provost tested positive for the coronavirus.  

‘Right now, I’m following in Fallon’s footsteps. I’m just another step along the way and it’s my great hope that there are more to follow behind me.’

Fox was watching Friday’s match ringside, ESPN reported.  

McLaughlin, born Ryan, cleared a hormone panel issued by the Florida State Boxing Commission, but noted that it was a ‘nightmare’ finding an opponent for the fight.

Amid the backlash, McLaughlin told her fans that it was not necessary to defend her. 

‘Don’t feel obligated to defend me against transphobes online,’ she tweeted. ‘We all know they’re not arguing in good faith and your energy is better spent elsewhere.’ 

Anticipating the pushback, McLaughlin told Outsports in the leadup to the match that her participation was another step in having more trans people participate and be visible in sports.  

Others, however, were more supportive of McLaughlin

Others, however, were more supportive of McLaughlin 

‘If we want to see more trans athletes, if we want to see more opportunities for trans kids, we’re going to have to work out way into those spaces and make it happen,’ she said. ‘It’s time for trans folks to be in sports and be more normalized.’ 

Many on social media did offer support and congratulated McLaughlin on the victory.

You did AMAZING,’ tweeted Young Journalism Initiative reporter Jessica Durling. ‘They’re just mad sports aren’t just for cis people.’ 

‘I support you so much and hope you don’t take the horrible bigoted comments to heart. You’re wonderful,’ wrote another Twitter user. 

‘You both did amazing out there!,’ another reacted. 

‘You’re amazing, don’t let the hate get you down,’ replied another. 

‘Athletes like you make history. We’ll look back at the way people are reacting to you one day the same way we look back at those who wanted to ban integrated sports.’ 

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk