UFC star launches anti-trans rant against trans swimmer Lia Thomas
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In a recent post-bout interview, Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) star Julian Erosa caused controversy by launching an anti-trans rant directed at trans athlete Lia Thomas. Erosa, who is 34 years old, expressed a desire to fight Thomas, who is nine years his junior, and repeatedly misgendered her during his tirade.
The incident took place following Erosa’s victory over Brazilian fighter Ricardo Ramos on Saturday, March 23rd. In his post-fight comments, Erosa stated, “I don’t like cheaters,” before specifically calling out Thomas for transitioning from women’s swimming to women’s mixed martial arts (MMA). He then made a disrespectful comment by saying, “and then I’ll transition into become a woman and beat that dude’s ass.”
Erosa’s remarks were met with backlash from the LGBTQ+ community and allies, as well as from supporters of trans athletes. The fighter attempted to downplay his comments by claiming they were made for “shock value,” but went on to criticize Fallon Fox, a former transgender MMA fighter, for competing in the women’s category.
“I just don’t agree with men in women’s sports,” Erosa said. “The whole Fallon Fox thing… guys fighting in women’s MMA and knocking them out, it’s a bad look.”
Despite admitting that he is “not the smartest crayon in the box,” Erosa doubled down on his stance against trans women participating in women’s sports. He claimed that Thomas is “beating all the women,” despite the fact that she has not competed in swimming for almost two years.
It is important to note that Thomas only participated in university swimming tournaments for a brief period before the end of her college career. However, she has faced anti-trans comments from fellow swimmers like Riley Gaines and even former US President Donald Trump. On the flip side, her University of Pennsylvania swim team colleagues have shown their unwavering support for her, emphasizing that they value her as a person, teammate, and friend.
The controversy surrounding trans athletes in sports is not new. While some argue that rules should be implemented to limit their participation in women’s sports, studies have shown that transgender women do not have an advantage in elite competitions if they have undergone testosterone suppression therapy.
According to a report cited in the article, “There is not one discrete biomarker that allows easy comparison of athletes’ bodies to each other in terms of performance.” This highlights the complexity of determining fairness and equality in sports, especially when it comes to transgender athletes.
In conclusion, Julian Erosa’s anti-trans comments directed at Lia Thomas have sparked a heated debate about inclusivity and fairness in sports. While Erosa may have intended his remarks to be provocative, they have shed light on the ongoing challenges faced by trans athletes in the world of sports. As discussions continue, it is crucial to prioritize respect, understanding, and equality for all athletes, regardless of their gender identity.
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