In recent years, there has been discussion about transgender athletes partaking in the MMA sport. Many MMA fans have expressed their displeasure at trans athletes for competing in the women’s division, including the well-known Fallon Fox.
Fans of mixed martial arts were given a preview of what to anticipate in 2022 if trans women entered the men’s division. Trans woman Gita-Marie Figueroa squared off against Shane Mistretta in World Class Fight League 32, which took place at The Bryan Glazer Family JCC in Tampa, Florida.
In the first minute of the bout, Figueroa successfully completed a few takedowns and made a number of submission attempts.
Her luck changed, though, as Mistretta began launching a flurry of close-range blows that eventually knocked her out at the 2:35 mark of the first round.Gita-Marie Figueroa has a 1-2 amateur record, with both of her losses coming by first-round knockout, whereas Shane Mistretta has a 6-3 amateur record.At WCFL 31 in February 2022, Figueroa defeated 34-year-old Gregorio Gonzalez by unanimous decision for his lone MMA victory. In a kickboxing match in March 2023, she defeated Brittany Vaughn by split decision.
Who was the first openly trans-MMA fighter?
The first openly transgender combatant in mixed martial arts is American Fallon Fox. ‘The Queen of Swords’ record is pretty impressive, with five victories and one defeat.
She began her professional career by defeating Elisha Helsper via TKO at King of the Cage – Wild Card in 2012. She then won two straight fights until suffering her one and only loss to UFC fighter Ashley Evans Smith at Championship Fighting Alliance 12 in 2013.
In 2014, Fox made more headlines when she accidentally shattered Tamikka Brents’ orbital bone during a fight. In addition, “Queen of Swords” received the “Bravest Athlete” award in 2020 for her accomplishments in the field of mixed martial arts.
Numerous people in the combat sports industry, including UFC commentator Joe Rogan, have criticised the choice to allow biologically male fighters like Fox to participate in women’s sports on numerous occasions.