Transgender MMA fighter Alana McLaughlin addresses fan backlash over Celine Provost fight and trans-inclusivity in sports

Alana McLaughlin, the second open transgender woman to fight in the professional MMA circuit, courted a slew of controversy after she defeated Celine Provost in her debut.

McLaughlin, a former U.S. Army Special Forces veteran, is intent on not letting the overwhelming public sentiment against her and others like her, deter her from campaigning for trans-inclusivity in sports.

Transgender women participating in sports against their cis-gendered counterparts have always been frowned upon.

Watch Alana McLaughlin defeat Celine Provost below:

It was no different when McLaughlin clinched a second-round submission win over Provost at Combat Global in 2021. Enraged fans took to social media. shaming her for competing against a cis woman.

Addressing the issue in a column she wrote in Newsweek, McLaughlin stated that she always had to be the bigger, understanding person, even from childhood. 'Lady Feral' claims that she had to be okay with her parents snubbing her track events to attend her sister's ballet and cheerleading sessions.

She was also prompted by her family to join the army when she was struggling with her gender identity:

"When I was struggling with my gender identity and begging for help, it was on me to be the bigger person and join the army instead of embarrassing the family by transitioning."

McLaughlin finds it unfair that the public faulted her for fighting Provost, even when her opponent had almost half a foot height and reach advantage over her.

She added that when she ultimately transitioned and eventually took up MMA the first gym where she trained made little effort to make the space inclusive for her. As 'Lady Feral' sees it, more steps should be taken to ensure trans-inclusivity in sports:

"Trans women are statistically underrepresented in sports. Period... Trans women have been allowed to participate in the Olympics for a quarter-century, and in that time we've had no medals... In a more just world, people with power and authority would be asking why and enacting programs to increase our participation rather than trying to exclude us further. [H/t NewsWeek]"

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When UFC veteran Jake Shields slammed Alana McLaughlin

Jake Shields was one among the many in the MMA community who was enraged by trans-woman Alana McLaughlin participating in the women's division.

After 'Lady Feral' defeated Celine Provost, Shileds took to X, to pen a sarcastic comment, slamming the Special Forces veteran for "beating up a girl. The former Strikeforce middleweight champion posted a split image of McLaughlin pre and post-transition while writing:

"This is the 'woman' MMA fighter that they allowed to beat up a girl in Florida. So brave of 'her' to transition then live 'her' dream of beating up women."

Check out the pre and post tradition pictures of Alana McLaughlin below: