Former US special forces member turned professional mixed martial artist, Alana McLaughlin has denied recent claims and refuted criticism regarding her transition to become a female to compete in professional mixed martial arts, denying she only transitioned in order to compete against other female competitors.
McLaughlin, who made her mixed martial arts debut back in September, stopped Celine Provost in the second round of their bout with a rear-naked choke.
However, following her victory, McLaughlin received criticism, most notably from the #12 ranked UFC bantamweight contender, Sean O’Malley, who claimed that it was wrong for McLaughlin to compete in professional mixed martial arts.
“I just don’t think that’s okay in just competing in sports, I mean, especially mixed martial arts,” O’Malley said on his podcast. “It’s like she (Alana McLaughlin) had testosterone for, who knows, 20 or 30 years of her life and now is a girl. You could tell that’s a dude. A jacked girl. I mean, look at those arms. If you have the body of a man, competing against girls or women, in a sport that you’re literally using your body to beat someone unconscious, has to be one of those things that you have to sacrifice.”
“If you want to play volleyball, soccer, be my guest,” O’Malley continued. “But in a sport that you beat someone into unconsciousness or submission, that shouldn’t be allowed. It’s dangerous to women. It’s unfair.”
Alana McLaughlin denies claims she transitioned in order to fight female competition
Reacting to recent claims, McLaughlin denied that she had only transitioned in a bid to compete against female competition.
“Transphobes claim I transitioned specifically to fight women because I couldn’t beat men as if my previous job wasn’t fighting a real actual war and ending human lives,” Alana McLaughlin tweeted. “If I had been able to keep pretending to be a man I’d have started fighting MMA In 2010.”
Transphobes claim I transitioned specifically to fight women because I couldn't beat men as if my previous job wasn't fighting a real actual war and ending human lives. If I had been able to keep pretending to be a man I'd have started fighting MMA in 2010.
— Alana McLaughlin
(@AlanaFeral) December 20, 2021
(@AlanaFeral)
“As if I haven’t been fighting men without the safety of gloves and referees and doctors my whole life,” Alana McLaughlin continued. “As if I haven’t been shot, stabbed, blown up, and worse. Having a d*ck doesn’t make someone strong, and women, both cis and trans, are stronger than we’re given credit for.”
As if I haven't been fighting men without the safety of gloves and referees and doctors my whole life. As if I haven't been shot, stabbed, blown up, and worse. Having a dick doesn't make someone strong, and women, both cis and trans, are stronger than we're given credit for.
— Alana McLaughlin
McLaughlin’s professional mixed martial arts debut came back in September of this year against the aforenoted, Provost, taking place under the Campbell McLaren led, Combate Global banner.