Former UFC Champ Miesha Tate: “I Do Not Support Men, In Any Form, Competing in Female Sports”

In an interview with Esports Insider, former UFC bantamweight champion Miesha Tate reaffirmed her longstanding stance against biological males participating in female sports, stating emphatically: “I do not support men, in any form, competing in female sports.”

This position isn’t new for Tate. Back in 2013, she publicly declined to face Fallon Fox, a transgender MMA star, citing health and safety concerns. More than a decade later, her view hasn’t softened — if anything, it’s become more defined.

“I just don’t think that it’s fair. I don’t think that it’s right,” Tate said. “And sports are not inclusive. By their nature, sport is a non-inclusive thing to do. If you’re not good enough, you just don’t make it — and that’s a hard lesson, but a valuable one.”

Tate’s remarks come amid an increasingly polarized debate surrounding transgender athletes, particularly in women’s sports. While some governing bodies have begun implementing stricter guidelines, others have doubled down on inclusivity regardless of biological sex — a direction Tate believes puts fairness and safety at risk.

“I don’t think we’ve seen enough conclusive evidence to say it’s safe for transgender people to compete against biological women. Some people might feel comfortable with the data out there. I don’t.”

Tate pointed out the inherent physical and hormonal differences between men and women, especially in high-performance environments like combat sports. From weight cutting to hormonal fluctuations during menstrual cycles, she argues that female athletes face a unique and often overlooked physiological landscape.

“Women already have to deal with cycles, hormone changes — it’s complicated,” she said. “So when you add biological males into that mix, especially in contact sports, I believe there’s a great potential that it’s unsafe.”

For Tate, this isn’t just about combat sports. It’s about the principle of merit and fairness — values she believes are being eroded by political correctness and what she sees as misguided attempts at inclusivity.

“If you want a sport that includes everybody, then play pickleball. That’s fine,” she quipped. “But high-level sports are about excellence. And excellence, by definition, is exclusive.”

Tate also took the opportunity to reflect on broader social values, expressing skepticism about participation trophies and the idea that all children should be treated as equally skilled.

“I don’t think every child deserves a trophy,” she said. “We’re not helping them discover what they’re truly good at. If they always get rewarded, they won’t be able to distinguish their natural talents.”

While her stance may be controversial in some circles, Tate’s comments reflect a growing sentiment among elite female athletes who feel their space — and safety — is being compromised in the name of inclusion.

In a cultural moment shaped by rapid shifts in gender policy, social norms, and sporting regulation, Miesha Tate’s voice cuts through the noise. Not with hate, but with hard-earned experience, a career forged in the fire of elite combat, and an unwavering belief in fairness over fashion.

ONE FC’s Chatri Sityodtong displeased Thai goverment opting to invest in F-1

ONE Championship CEO Chatri Sityodtong has expressed disappointment after Thailand’s cabinet approved a $1.2 billion bid to host Formula One races in Bangkok, questioning why his martial arts organization doesn’t receive similar government backing despite what he claims are substantial contributions to the Thai economy.

The Thai government announced Tuesday that it has greenlit the massive investment to bring Formula One street racing to the capital from 2028 to 2032. Tourism Minister Sorawong Thienthong confirmed the bid is worth approximately $1.23 billion, with officials touting the economic benefits for Thailand’s crucial tourism sector.

However, Sityodtong’s reaction was notably sour. “Honestly, when I look back at how much we’ve invested in Thailand, I feel a bit sad,” he said. “There are 70 million Thais, and they love our fighters. But why doesn’t the Thai government support ONE, while other governments are offering their support?”

The ONE Championship founder, who identifies as Thai, argued that his organization deserves recognition for its achievements. “I’m Thai. I built ONE into the number one martial arts organization in the world. We’re helping the country—giving Thai people inspiration to overcome hardships and poverty and achieve success. ONE is even bigger than Formula 1.”

According to ONE Championship’s claims, the organization generates $49.2 million for the Thai economy annually and boasts a larger global audience than both Formula One and the NBA. The company also states it successfully broadcasts to 190 countries and expects to achieve profitability by the end of 2024.

Still ONE FC financials still look grim despite major cost saving measures.

The Formula One announcement comes after Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra met with Formula One chief Stefano Domenicali in March to discuss the feasibility of hosting a Grand Prix on Bangkok’s streets. The proposed street circuit would add to Formula One’s already packed 24-race calendar, which currently includes four events in the Asia-Pacific region.

Thailand already possesses an FIA-accredited track in Buriram that hosts MotoGP motorcycle racing, but the government has chosen to pursue a more ambitious street racing concept in the capital.

Social media commentary following Sityodtong’s statements revealed skepticism about ONE Championship’s financial requests. Some observers suggested the organization might be seeking government funding in the billions, while others questioned the sustainability of ONE’s business model, noting that many events are broadcast free to viewers globally.

Critics also pointed out that ONE Championship’s audience numbers at venues like Lumpinee Stadium may be inflated by complimentary ticket distribution, raising questions about the organization’s actual commercial viability.

The contrast between Thailand’s willingness to invest heavily in Formula One while ONE Championship seeks government support highlights the different approaches to sports investment and international prestige projects. While Formula One brings guaranteed global television audiences and established revenue streams, ONE Championship’s claims of economic impact and audience reach face ongoing scrutiny from industry observers.

For Thailand, the Formula One investment represents a significant bet on sports tourism and international visibility, joining Singapore as Southeast Asia’s second Formula One host nation. The success of this venture may ultimately determine whether the government’s priorities align with Sityodtong’s vision for martial arts support.

Jamahal Hill is still having a hard time coping with Pereira loss – claims he was never knocked out

Former UFC light heavyweight champion Jamahal Hill showed his frustration during the UFC Baku media day when questioned about how his recent losses might impact his upcoming performance.

Hill, who faces Khalil Rountree Jr. in the main event of UFC’s first visit to Azerbaijan, was visibly irritated when a reporter asked how his defeats to Alex Pereira and Jiri Prochazka would affect Saturday’s contest.

“How would it do that?”

Hill responded with evident annoyance.

“Every fight is different. It’s a new fight, so that’s a weird question. That’s like kind of like a dorky, like online fan question.”

The 33-year-old martial artist emphasized that his focus remains solely on his upcoming opponent rather than dwelling on past performances.

“I don’t really get how that would affect how I’m fighting a completely different man,”

Hill stated.

“I’m focused on what’s how well on Saturday and on the task at hand for that.”

Hill’s reaction highlights the mental reset many martial artists undergo between contests, particularly following setbacks. Sports psychologists often note the importance of compartmentalizing previous losses to maintain confidence heading into new challenges.

This weekend’s bout represents a critical juncture in Hill’s career trajectory. Both he and Rountree are looking to rebound from losses to Pereira in 2024, making this matchup particularly significant for their respective paths forward in the division.

UFC Baku marks the promotion’s debut in Azerbaijan, continuing the organization’s global expansion efforts. The event has generated considerable local interest, with fans eager to witness high-level mixed martial arts competition in person for the first time.

For Hill, Saturday’s performance could prove pivotal in reestablishing himself as a contender in the light heavyweight division. His dismissal of questions about previous outcomes suggests a man determined to look forward rather than backward—a mentality that often separates elite competitors in combat sports.

Kamaru Usman plans to face Dricus Du Plessis on UFC’s first Africa card — after colonial mindset comments

Former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman has set his sights on a potential blockbuster matchup against current middleweight titleholder Dricus Du Plessis, with plans for the bout to take place on the UFC’s inaugural Africa card.

The Nigerian-born man revealed his ambitions during a recent interview, addressing a rivalry that intensified after Du Plessis’s controversial comments about being the “first real African champion” – remarks that Usman and fellow African-born champion Israel Adesanya criticized as displaying a “colonial mindset.”

“After getting that belt, they’ve asked and waited for years and years for me to go up and get that middleweight strap,”

Usman told TMZ.

“I will relinquish that. If Dricus Du Plessis is still the champion, all African card, Africa versus Africa, first card in Africa.”

The potential matchup would pit Nigeria against South Africa, tapping into what Usman describes as

“a rivalry that’s been built forever”

between the two nations in sporting competitions.

“South Africa versus Nigeria. It’s a sports rivalry,”

Usman explained.

“I think that’s another blockbuster. I think those are two mega events that you’re going to remember for generations.”

The clash would carry significant cultural weight following the tension created when Du Plessis suggested he was more authentically African than previous champions who trained outside the continent. This statement drew sharp criticism from Usman, Adesanya, and former heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou – all African-born martial artists who captured UFC gold before Du Plessis.

During a conversation on Adesanya’s channel, Usman questioned Du Plessis’s perspective:

“When you come in and there are three African kings already. Why is your mentality not ‘Man, I want to be the 4th African champion’?”

Despite the disagreement, both Usman and Adesanya have maintained that their criticism isn’t personal.

“He’s a great guy, as far as all the run-ins that I’ve had with him. He’s cool,”

Usman noted.

The UFC has yet to host an event in Africa despite the continent producing multiple champions. However, UFC executive David Shaw has hinted at a potential 2025 event, though logistical challenges remain.

Usman, who believes in the power of

“manifestation,”

expressed optimism about the timeline for these plans coming together.

“If things start to kind of fall in line, I think we’re going to see a pretty interesting next 18 months,”

he concluded.