Alana McLaughlin

Alana McLaughlin (born in 1983) [1] is a former member of the U.S. Army Special Forces[1] and current MMA fighter. She has a professional record of 1-0-0, having made her debut fight in Miami at Combate Global on September 10, 2021.[2][3] She is the second openly trans woman to have fought professionally in MMA.[1]

Alana McLaughlin
Born (1983-06-26) June 26, 1983
Danville, Illinois, U.S.
Other namesLady Feral
NationalityAmerican
Height5 ft 7 in (170 cm)
Weight145 lb (66 kg; 10 st 5 lb)
DivisionFeatherweight
Reach66.5 in (169 cm)
Fighting out ofPortland, Oregon
Mixed martial arts record
Total1
Wins1
By submission1
By decision0
Losses0
By knockout0
By submission0
By decision0
Draws0
No contests0
Other information
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Early Life

McLaughlin grew up in West Columbia, South Carolina in a conservative family that frequently tried to make her more masculine and sent her to conversion therapy.[4] McLaughlin was not allowed to play sports until her junior year of high school, at which point she joined the cross-country team. In her final two years of high school, McLaughlin performed well enough to receive a scholarship to Newberry College, where she ran for two years before transferring to Winthrop University.[4] While attending Winthrop, McLaughlin had her final conversation with her mother, who made clear she would rather her son die at war than live as her daughter.[4]

McLaughlin finished her degree in fine arts in 2015 at UNC-Asheville.[4]

Special Forces

McLaughlin joined the U.S. Army Special Forces in 2003 at the age of 20. By 2007, she was a medical sergeant deployed to Afghanistan as part of a 12-person unit. After six years of service, McLaughlin chose not to re-enlist.[4]

McLaughlin earned eight distinguished service medals throughout her career.[4]

MMA Career

McLaughlin had her professional debut on September 10, 2021 at Combate Global against Celine Provost.[2] Fighting under the name Lady Feral,[5] McLaughlin won the fight by rear-naked choke in the second round, giving her a professional record of 1-0-0.[1] McLaughlin trained with MMA Masters, a gym in Hialeah, Florida, prior to the bout.

McLaughlin is the second openly transgender woman to fight professionally in MMA, the first being Fallon Fox who last fought in 2014.[1]

References
  1. "Transgender fighter McLaughlin wins MMA debut". ESPN.com. September 11, 2021. Retrieved January 6, 2022.
  2. "Alana McLaughlin to make Combate Global historic debut". Combate Global. September 8, 2021. Retrieved January 6, 2022.
  3. Webb, Karleigh (September 12, 2021). "Trans MMA fighter Alana McLaughlin gets trailblazing win". Outsports. Retrieved January 6, 2022.
  4. "Alana McLaughlin's journey from US special forces to trans MMA fighter | Loretta Hunt". the Guardian. September 8, 2021. Retrieved January 6, 2022.
  5. "Trans MMA Fighter Claps Back Against Hate After Winning Debut". www.advocate.com. September 16, 2021. Retrieved January 21, 2022.
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