Former UFC fighter has emotional reaction to Imane Khelif controversy

Imane Khelif. TASS

Former UFC title challenger has emotional reaction to Imane Khelif Olympic controversy

By Jaren Kawada | Last updated Aug 6, 2024 9:48 PM ET

Boxing has not typically made mainstream headlines at the Olympics, but Algerian welterweight Imane Khelif sparked widespread debates on social media early on in the competition.

Although they proved to be false, rumors of Khelif being a biological male circled on social during the first few days of the 2024 Paris Olympics due to the 25-year-old being disqualified from the 2023 IBA Women's World Boxing Championships for failing a gender eligibility test. Amid the controversy, the International Olympic Committee issued a statement vehemently denying the allegations and confirming Khelif's legitimacy.

The ordeal has caused mixed reactions from athletes and celebrities, including former UFC title challenger Megan Anderson, who opened up on her personal connection to Khelif's situation. Anderson claims that she has "not had one day in the last decade" without a disgruntled fan attempting to degrade her and her physique.

Anderson pleaded for society to "do better" and praise Khelif rather than criticize her success.

Chael speaks on this this topic incredibly well

I, as a 6ft tall muscular woman, have not had one day in the last decade that I've been in the sport of mma where I haven't had comments/DMs saying I'm 'a man', I'm 'on steroids', or that I'm 'trans'..

It's not something that is…
— Megan Anderson (@MeganAnderson) August 6, 2024

Anderson's tweet was a reaction to a video on Chael Sonnen's YouTube channel, in which the retired fighter spoke bluntly on the topic, passionately defending Khelif and ripping detractors.

On Tuesday night, Khelif defeated Thailand's Janjaem Suwannapheng to advance to the gold-medal fight, where she will face China's Yang Liu.

Megan Anderson's MMA career

Anderson, 34, has not fought in over three years and considers herself functionally retired despite still having a few years left in her athletic prime. The Aussie last fought in the co-main event of UFC 259, losing to Amanda Nunes for the UFC women's featherweight championship.

Overall, Anderson went 3-3 in the Octagon during a three-year tenure. Before signing with the UFC, Anderson had won the Invicta FC women's featherweight title with a TKO win over Charmaine Tweet in 2017.

Since her last fight in the cage, Anderson has joined ESPN as a UFC and PFL analyst to remain involved in the sport. Her work can also be seen on YouTube, where she hosts "The Megan Anderson Show." Outside of MMA, Anderson is an avid gamer and often streams on Twitch and Kick.

Jaren Kawada

Jaren Kawada is a sports writer based in Indianapolis, Indiana, and originally from Honolulu, Hawaii. Kawada has over five years of experience with his work also seen on Fantasy CPR, BetSided and Sportskeeda. Kawada is an alumnus of Butler University and in his free time enjoys training in kickboxing and Brazilian jiu-jitsu.

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