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Alana McLaughlin's fights: she was abused as a child, she fought in Afghanistan and will now be the second trans fighter in MMA history

2021-09-10T19:37:28.124Z


The American fighter underwent a gender reassignment and will fight French Céline Provost tonight. 09/10/2021 3:57 PM Clarín.com sports Updated 09/10/2021 3:57 PM American Alana McLaughlin, 38, will become the second transgender fighter in history to fight as a professional in the rising and increasingly popular mixed martial arts this Friday night . He will do it against the French Céline Provost in the “Global Combate” event, which will be held at the Univision Center in Miami and will be b


09/10/2021 3:57 PM

  • Clarín.com

  • sports

Updated 09/10/2021 3:57 PM

American

Alana McLaughlin,

38, will become

the second transgender fighter in history to fight as a professional in the rising and increasingly popular mixed martial arts

this Friday night

.

He will do it against the French Céline Provost in the “Global Combate” event, which will be held at the Univision Center in Miami and will be broadcast exclusively for Argentina through the Paramount + platform.

McLaughlin was born in Portland, in the northwestern United States, and from a very young age she knew what she wanted for her life.

Although she repeatedly confessed her intentions to undergo gender reassignment, this proved an impossible mission during her teens, as her mother never supported her.

Growing up in an extremely religious and poor family, all were difficulties for McLaughlin, who

was

also

a victim of bullying

by becoming the target and criticism from his peers.

His mother and stepfather repeatedly sought to make Alana ignore their choice and even

forced him to attend seminars in the hope that he could "straighten out his life."

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Alana McLaughlin (@lady_feral)

McLaughlin was abused during her childhood and confessed that when she was just 5 years old, she was raped by a person close to her family.

It took several more years for her family to recognize these abuses and allow the young woman to get away from her abuser.

Despite what happened, the issue would not come up again within his home.

After completing his studies, McLaughlin joined the military in 2003.

And thanks to his strengths, he quickly rose to the rank of sergeant.

Her great tasks would take her to travel to Afghanistan, where she fought alongside an elite group made up of 11 other soldiers.

Meanwhile, she kept wondering if she should tell her peers that she identified as a transgender person.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Alana McLaughlin (@lady_feral)

Along with her military service, Alana began to undergo hormone treatment, something that she periodically interrupted when she began to notice changes in her breasts. In 2015, and after six years of service to his country and eight decorations, McLaughlin decided to depart from the force and move to Asheville, a picturesque city located in North Carolina, where he finished his studies in Fine Arts.

Just a year later, he returned to his Oregon.

He settled in Portland and there he began to practice mixed martial arts.

Alana had become fanatical about the sport during the first decade of this century.

He even watched every UFC soiree during his service in Afghanistan.

This escape was vital to McLaughlin to take care of her mental health, as she was going through a difficult time after being diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder after the war and the abuse she suffered.

Alana McLaughlin will be making her pro debut in #CombateGlobal and she's ready to win against Celine Provost, don't miss it only on @paramountplus! 💪🏼🔥 # MuchMoreAction pic.twitter.com/wuyXFali3r

- Global Combat (@combateglobal) September 9, 2021

The fighter says that her time in the Army was key to dedicating herself to contact sports today, since she managed to acquire an impeccable work ethic and a great will to improve herself.

"All my life I was a dwarf, I was not the right size, they intimidated me, they raped me, they beat me, like I didn't have it easy. The story of my life has been trying to physically resist people who were bigger, stronger and more skilled than me, "he told The Guardian newspaper, which did a huge report this week on his phenomenal story.

Tonight, in Miami and before the eyes of the whole world, he will finally have the possibility to show you what he is like doing what he dreamed of.

Alana McLaughlin, the trans fighter who will make MMA history tonight.

Photo: Twitter

An unapologetic rival

Frenchwoman Provost dreamed of being an athlete until at age 18 her career was cut short by an ankle injury.

It was then that he started training MMA.

However, he first dabbled in boxing because mixed martial arts were illegal in his country until December 2020.

Alana McLaughlin will face Céline Provost tonight, in what will be her professional debut.

(Photo: @combateglobal)

Are you worried that McLaughlin will be stronger?

That is one of the main arguments that exist in the world of sports against trans athletes.

"I train with men who are stronger than me all the time. It doesn't bother me at all. We have to show that MMA is an inclusive sport," he told the English newspaper Provost, who is 35 years old today and also works as school teacher in the suburbs of Paris.



Source: clarin

All news articles on 2021-09-10

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