Trans MMA fighter beats woman: Alana McLaughlin stirred up controversy after winning MMA debut against Celine Provost

Trans fighter Alana McLaughlin made her MMA debut against Celine Provost at Combate Global Episode 19 in September 2021.

A U.S. Army Special Forces veteran, McLaughlin was the second openly trans fighter in MMA history, after Fallon Fox, who was also in attendance for the fight. Provost came out as the early aggressor, her right hand finding the mark and wobbling McLaughlin on multiple occasions.

The trans fighter bounced back in the second round, hurting Provost early on before landing a takedown. While Provost quickly reversed the position, McLaughlin capitalized on the opportunity to sink in a rear-naked choke that earned her the win with a minute and a half left in the round.

Catch the highlights below:

Alana McLaughlin's win yet again sparked a debate about whether transgender women athletes are equal to cis gender women athletes. A fan wrote:

"Now he (she) is fighting, beating up women (real women). Alana McLaughlin. So we have a former member of the special forces who now identifies as a woman"

Another fan wrote:

"This is wrong in every possible way. Men beating bloody and choking women. We have fallen as a society."

A third fan tweeted:

"So we have a former MALE member of the special forces who identifies as a woman. Now she (HE) beats women up (real ones). for a living?? #MMA #celineprovost so much respect. This world has become utterly disgusting."

Check out more reactions below:

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Joe Rogan changed his stance on trans fighters after the debut of Alana McLaughlin

Joe Rogan initially did not support the idea of transgender women fighting cis gender women.

The UFC color commentator had gone off on Fallon Fox back in the day, noting that a sex reassignment surgery doesn't change a person's bone density. The renowned podcaster was immensely criticized for his comments when Alana McLaughlin made her debut last year.

However, Rogan has since altered his views on the subject, claiming to only have problems with transgender fighters who hide their past. The JRE host seemingly doesn't have a problem with cis gender fighters willing to take on a transgender opponents. The 55-year-old previously said on The Tim Dillon Show:

“It was people that don’t want any criticism whatsoever about trans people. And I was like, ‘Look, I don’t have a problem with trans people, right, I have a problem with someone pretending that they’re a biological woman and fighting women.’ Once you say you’re trans and everybody says, ‘Okay, I’ll fight her.' Fine. I’m fine with that."

Catch the full interview below: