Miesha Tate Won’t Face Transgender Fighter Fallon Fox

Former Strikeforce bantamweight champion Miesha Tate has said that she would not face undefeated featherweight and transgender MMA fighter Fallon Fox.

Tate said while she believes Fox has a right to live life however she wants, she wouldn’t feel comfortable stepping into the ring with her.

“If there was solid research that [proved] she’s 100 percent like a female, then I might consider it,” Tate said. “I have nothing against transgender people. You should live your life however you want. It’s about fighter safety.”

Tate went on to say that since Fox went through puberty as a male, she couldn’t be sure that Fox wouldn’t have an unfair advantage over female fighters.

“Does that change bone density? Does it change her body frame,” Tate questioned. “I understand she wants to be viewed as a female. I get it. That’s fine, but it’s not fine if you may have a physical advantage and may be able to really hurt someone.”

Fallon Fox is currently under review by the California State Athletic Commission, which will be determining how to go about handling transgender fighters in MMA. CSAC executive director Andy Foster said that transgender fighters do have a place in the sport, but that they had to determine “when do we consider a transgender… a female.”

Fox argued that she has been living as a female for the past six years, and that she has been acknowledged as such by people she trains with at the gym. But Matt Humbleton, the coach and manager of Ericka Newsome, whom Fox defeated by knockout, said that Fox lied on her application. “… By saying you’re a healthy female with a normal menstrual cycle, you’re lying,” he said.

Fox has said that she doesn’t feel it should be a requirement for transgender fighters to disclose their medical history to female fighters before they enter the Octagon. Tate disagreed, however, and said that it should be the opponent’s choice whether they fight a transgender fighter or not.

In the meantime, Miesha Tate will fight Cat Zingano during The Ultimate Fighter season 17 finale. The two will face off in the Octagon on April 13 in Las Vegas.

Do you agree with Miesha Tate’s comments about Fallon Fox and transgender fighters? Or do you think Fallon Fox is correct that she and others shouldn’t have to disclose their medical history to opponents?