The world of Mixed Martial Arts has become a den of controversy after fighter Fallon Fox revealed that she is transgender. She was born male, but had gender reassignment surgery in 2006.
Fox, 37, is 2-0 as a professional with two first-round finishes. Her license is currently under review by the Florida State Boxing Commission. She did not disclose that she was transgender to the commission prior to a contest on March 2. She shared her story with Sports Illustrated earlier this month.
Miesha Tate, a UFC female bantamweight, weighed in about Fox’s announcement on ESPN.com, sharing that she would not accept a bout against Fox if it were offered. She cited health concerns.
“I wouldn’t do it,” Tate told ESPN.com. “If there was solid research that [proved] she’s 100 percent like a female, then I might consider it.”
Tate reiterated that she has nothing against transgender people, but she is concerned about the well-being of biological women in the ring.
“I have nothing against transgender people,” Tate said. “You should live your life however you want. It’s about fighter safety. I wouldn’t feel comfortable getting in with someone who is a woman but developed as a man. I just don’t think it would be safe.”
The voice of the UFC, Joe Rogan, took a less politically correct stance on the issue, saying that there is “no fucking way” that Fox should be allowed to get into the ring with biological woman.
He took on the issue during his podcast, “The Joe Rogan Experience.
“She calls herself a woman, but I tend to disagree,” he said, referring to Fox. “She used to be a man…and she wants to be able to fight women in the MMA? I say no fucking way.”
Rogan’s expletive-filled rant went on to talk about Fox’s former genitalia and her testosterone-infused bone structure.
“You have bigger hands, you have bigger shoulder joints…you’re a fucking man,” Rogen said. “I don’t care if you don’t have a dick anymore. You’re a man without a dick.”
But not everyone is against Fox entering the ring.
Former UFC No. 1 contender Liz Carmouche supports Fox and said she would be willing to fight her.
“I understand she fights in a regional organization right now but, if she makes it to the UFC, and fights in the 135lbs female bantamweight division, I’d be happy to fight her,” Carmouche said in a statement. “But that’s all hypotheticalâ┚¬â€Âwhat I can say for sure is that I understand what it is to be an LGBT athlete in the spotlight like she finds herself in right now and that I’m glad she’s got the support of the LGBT community behind her.”
In a recent interview on AXS TV, Fox stated she doesn’t believe transgender athletes should be required to disclose private medical history prior to a fight.
Fox claimed the “scientific community” has found transsexual fighters on hormone therapy do not hold physical advantages over other women. She also said she thinks any woman who refuses to fight her is either scared or a “hate-filled” person.
“I understand she wants to be viewed as a female. I get it,” Tate said. “That’s fine, but it’s not fine if you may have a physical advantage and may be able to really hurt someone. It has to be disclosed. It should be an opponent’s choice whether they want to fight her or not.”
