Former UFC star Jorge Masvidal has never been one to shy away from controversy, and his recent comments on the issue of transgender athletes in women’s sports are no exception. Speaking on Jake Shields’ podcast, the retired UFC star delivered a no-holds-barred critique of policies allowing biological males to compete against biological females in athletic competitions.
“It’s Just Pure Insanity”
Masvidal minced no words when addressing the issue. “As athletes, when they say like men should compete with women, it’s just pure insanity,” he stated. “Me and you don’t need to be doctors to know, brother, there’s a f***ing massive difference between a man that weighs 180 lbs and even a woman that’s 200.” His blunt assessment reflects his frustration with what he sees as a denial of basic biological realities in the name of inclusivity.
Masvidal emphasized that these differences aren’t merely hypothetical but are observed daily in training environments. As a longtime member of the renowned American Top Team gym, Masvidal has trained alongside some of the greatest female mixed martial artists in the world, including Amanda Nunes, Kayla Harrison, and Joanna Jedrzejczyk. Even these elite athletes, he noted, struggle against less-accomplished male stars. “If you get a top 15 [male ] in there with the best girl in the world, she’s done, destroy her,” Masvidal explained. “Not even close.”
Protecting Fair Competition
For Masvidal, this isn’t about diminishing the accomplishments of female athletes. Quite the opposite—he expressed admiration for the dedication and skill of women in sports but argued that fair competition must be safeguarded. “These women train hard,” he acknowledged, drawing parallels to his own grueling career. Yet he maintained that the natural advantages of bone density, muscle mass, and testosterone levels give biological males an unfair edge that training alone cannot overcome.
He expressed particular concern about the impact on younger female athletes and the broader future of women’s sports. As the father of a daughter, his perspective was deeply personal. “I have a daughter… I’ll kill a f*** before they put a finger on my daughter,” he said, referring to situations where biological males are allowed to compete in female divisions in combat sports in particular.
The Broader Cultural Debate
Masvidal’s criticism didn’t stop at sports. He argued that the issue reflects a broader cultural shift towards denying biological science in favor of ideology. “We’re not scientists, we just know from simple observation,” he said, pointing to the clear physical differences between men and women. He also expressed frustration with the policing of speech and the suppression of dissenting views, noting that even female athletes who voice concerns face backlash.
Personal and Political Repercussions
Masvidal’s outspoken nature has come at a cost. During the podcast, he revealed that his support for former President Donald Trump led to significant financial losses on social media platforms. After appearing in a video with Donald Trump Jr. in 2020, which amassed 44 million views, he was swiftly demonetized on both YouTube and Facebook. “I was making very good money… and two-three days later simultaneously Facebook and YouTube demonetized me with no reason why,” he said.
Despite the setbacks, Masvidal remains unapologetic. “I don’t even give a f*** bro because what do we have, what’s this money if I don’t have this country,” he stated. His close relationship with Trump continues, and he has remained a vocal advocate for what he sees as protecting American values.
A Call for Fairness
Masvidal’s stance has resonated with many, particularly in the combat sports community, where the physical demands of competition make these issues especially salient.
