Former UFC star Kevin Lee has sparked a debate on social media with his candid thoughts on why many mixed martial arts athletes oppose the inclusion of trans competitors in women’s sports. In a series of tweets, Lee offered a perspective that delves into the complex intersection of hormone therapy, athletic performance, and fairness in competition.
Lee began by asserting that most UFC stars are against transinclusion in the sport, primarily due to concerns about the effects of hormone therapy. He emphasized that this opposition stems from “first-hand knowledge of the effects hormones have on a person.”
Lee detailed several potential impacts of hormone use, including increased aggression, enhanced strength, unstable moods, and heightened rage. Lee argued that allowing someone who has altered their hormones to compete against those who haven’t creates an uneven playing field, describing it as “just crazy.”
Drawing from his experience in MMA gyms, Lee pointed out that it’s often apparent when someone has used PEDs. However, he noted that this observation is rarely discussed openly, due to tabboo nature of PED use.
This is very similar to something Demetrious Johnson recently mentioned casually in a conversation with BJJ champion Mikey Musumeci, where both noted that PED enhanced athletes just ‘feel’ different when you grapple them.
Lee clarified that his comments weren’t specifically about UFC stars, but rather about individuals who train in MMA gyms more broadly. This distinction highlights the widespread nature of the concern beyond just professional competitions.
The former UFC star’s statements have elicited mixed responses from the MMA community and fans alike. Some praised Lee for speaking openly about a controversial topic, while others questioned his expertise on the subject of hormone therapy and its effects.
In response to follow-up questions, Lee confirmed that he has never personally used PEDs or hormones, basing his opinions on observations and experiences within the MMA community.
Majority of the MMA community is appalled that Combate Global put on a trans woman vs woman match in 2021. Here’s what some current and former professional MMA stars said regarding the inclusion.
Demian Maia:
“It is very clear that you cannot let this happen. It’s one thing for a man to want to fight a woman and for a woman to say: ‘Okay, I’m going to fight. The choice is mine’. Now, for you to force a woman to fight a transgender person who was born a man is absurd. I think that only those who are not in the sport accept this, because they have no idea what it is.”
Sean O’Malley:
“I don’t think that’s okay. I just don’t think that’s okay… in just competing in sports, I mean, especially mixed,” O’Malley began on his YouTube channel.
“it’s like she had testosterone for, who knows, 20, 30 years of her life and now I’m a girl. And look at that, you could tell that’s a dude. A jacked girl. I mean, look at those arms.”
Michael Bisping:
“I’m not here to talk about transgender rights, you can identify as whatever you want,” Bisping said. “But I do believe that if you’re a woman that feels trapped in a man’s body, there are certain advantages that you should have to give up. If you have the body of a man, competing against girls or women, when you’re using your body to beat someone unconscious, has to be one of those things you sacrifice.”
Adesanya posted a similar clip on Twitter along with his commentary.
The post said: “This just feels weird. Who sanctioned this? Why are we allowing this??”
Joe Rogan blasted trans inclusion in sports saying:
“You’re forced to comply with this. And, you know, it’s f**king up women’s sports in a huge way. In a huge way. And, you know, some organizations are pushing back against that. And some people are pushing back against the organizations that are pushing back against it, which to me is insane.”
“Like, if you care at all about biological women, you should be against that. “
