Apparently, it is both legal and acceptable for a man to beat up a woman if there are referees present and fans there to watch the beatdown.
That is exactly what happened last week when MMA fighter Alana McLaughlin, a biological male who identifies as a woman, choked out her biologically female opponent after two rounds in the fighting ring.
McLaughlin, 38, began transitioning in 2010 after leaving the U.S. Army Special Forces and was cleared to compete against women last year after passing a hormone level test. She admitted it was a “nightmare” to find an opponent willing to fight her.
“I have nothing but respect for [Celine Provost],” McLaughlin said of her opponent, who was able to land multiple punches during the first round before McLaughlin overpowered her using a rear-naked chokehold in the second round.
It’s remarkable that Provost lasted as long as she did, considering that McLaughlin continues to have the muscular build and bone structure of a man. No amount of hormonal treatment can change that.
Given this reality, it is also amazing the results of the fight weren’t worse. Provost could have ended up like Ericka Newsome, the female fighter who squared off against Fallon Fox, the first transgender MMA fighter, only to have her skull broken by Fox.
Unfortunately, it has become taboo to point out that people who are biologically male, transgender or not, have physical advantages that can make them a danger to women. We’re supposed to just shut up and let them fight, even though it is obvious to everyone, including the fighters in the ring, who’s going to win.
