Former UFC champion criticizes inclusion of trans athletes in women's categories: 'I don't support this'

M. Tate is a former UFC champion. (Photo: Reproduction/Facebook MieshaTate)

Even though he is far from the best moment of his career, Miesha Tate remains in the media with the same strong opinions as at her peak. When addressing gender issues involving combat sports, the former UFC and Strikeforce bantamweight champion (up to 61,2 kg.) positioned herself against the inclusion of transgender athletes in women's MMA in an interview with 'Esports Insider' last Tuesday (10).

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For the fighter, cis women have to deal with specific biological and hormonal issues, such as menstruation. In addition, processes such as weight loss are different for female bodies. Therefore, she said she does not agree with the idea.

“I don’t think there’s enough conclusive evidence to prove that it’s safe for transgender people to compete against biological females. I just don’t know if there’s enough evidence, and some people will be comfortable with it. I don’t support it,” he said.

Tate in victory at UFC 196. Photo: Christian Petersen/Zuffa LLC/

PUBLICITY:

When addressing the competitive nature of high-performance sports, the fighter rejected the argument that allowing trans athletes would be an adequate example of inclusion.

“Biological males competing in female sports is potentially dangerous. Sports are not meant to be inclusive of everyone. I mean, if you want to play a sport that is inclusive of everyone, then try pickleball. Okay. I do not support men, in any way, competing in women's sports. I just don't think it's fair. I don't think it's right. And sports are not inclusive. By nature. By the nature of sports, it's a non-inclusive thing to do,” he concluded.

Miesha Tate is a UFC veteran

Let's GOOOO miesha tate pic.twitter.com/Pxy4n46zFZ

— Dovy (@DovySimuMMA) May 4, 2025

Nearing her 39th birthday, Tate is one of the pioneers of women's MMA. Cupcake, as she is known, began her career in the sport almost 20 years ago, in March 2006, while still an amateur. Over the course of 30 professional fights, the American experienced an intense rivalry with Ronda Rousey, the greatest in the history of women's MMA. In addition, she also shared the octagon with names of the level of Amanda nunes e Holly holm.