Former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya has publicly apologized for questioning the fairness of pitting Algerian Olympic boxer Imane Khelif against biological females at the Paris Olympics 2024. Adesanya’s comments sparked a frenzy of internet frustration over incorrect details surrounding Khelif’s gender.
In an interview with Sky News, Khelif’s father, Omar Khelif, provided documentation to clarify that his daughter is not transgender, as Adesanya had initially believed. This revelation prompted the UFC star to retract his previous statements.
But it’s not so simple. Imane Khelif appears to have what is known as a difference of sexual development, or DSD, not a transgender identity. DSDs can prevent a person who is genetically male from developing male physical traits.
As per WSJ:
The most probable DSD for Imane Khelif is 5-alpha reductase deficiency, or 5-ARD. People with 5-ARD have XY chromosomes and testes that produce testosterone. But because of a gene mutation affecting the 5-alpha reductase enzyme, their testosterone can’t be converted to dihydrotestosterone, which is essential for developing male genitals. People with 5-ARD, though biologically male, are born with female-appearing or ambiguous external genitals, leading to potential misidentification as female at birth. Many with 5-ARD are raised as girls, only discovering their condition at puberty when their internal testes trigger male puberty. This results in masculine features and a physical advantage over women in sports.
The International Boxing Association had disqualified Khelif from previous competitions due to her genetic makeup, but the International Olympic Committee permitted her participation in the Paris Olympics after severing ties with the IBA.
During a media interview for his upcoming title shot against Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 305, Adesanya addressed the controversy.
” You know what…I’m going to leave women’s fight to women, …I’ma leave it to you guys…She wasn’t actually trans. To the lady, to the boxer my bad, I got that wrong….”
The IBA has been unable to provide additional details, as the Algerian Olympic Committee has refused to make the results of Khelif’s failed test public. This ongoing issue is yet to reach a conclusion.
Several figures in the combat sports community have voiced their support for Khelif, including “Bad Guy” Chael Sonnen and PFL’s Derek Brunson. Now, Adesanya has joined them in expressing his apologies for his initial comments.
The Algerian Olympics boxer has been the subject of intense scrutiny and debate, with Adesanya’s initial accusations only adding to the controversy.
This is certainly a difficult situation but Khelif doesn’t deserve to be bullied or mistreated, it’s doubtful she was even aware of the full extent of the medical situation.
