“I don’t like cheaters…” Trans swimmer Lia Thomas gets called out by male UFC fighter to women’s MMA match

Julian Erosa pushes transgender swimmer Lia Thomas to make the switch to women's mixed martial arts.

“I don’t like cheaters…” Trans swimmer Lia Thomas gets called out by male UFC fighter to women’s MMA match

Julian Erosa challenged Lia Thomas to MMA (via X/ABC News)

The world, especially the MMA community, is divided between support and hatred of the trans community. This was on full display in a controversial move by Julian Erosa. He openly challenged trans swimmer Lia Thomas to compete against him in a women’s MMA match after his UFC Vegas 89 bout. 

Erosa competes in the men’s featherweight division. He used the post-fight interview to call out Lia Thomas after her dominance at the NCAA swimming championships. His disdain for the alleged ‘cheating’ in sports was evident in his words:

I don’t like cheaters… So, I wanted to call out Lia Thomas. I wanted to encourage her from women’s swimming to women’s MMA, and then I’m gonna transition into a woman.
Julian Erosa during the post-fight interview
YouTube video

The 25-year-old Thomas made headlines as the first openly transgender woman to win an NCAA swimming championship. Her record-breaking performances reignited debates around the fairness of transgender athletes competing in women’s sports. Critics argued that Thomas’ biological male puberty provided an unfair physical advantage over her cisgender female competitors.

FS Video

Even personalities like Joe Rogan have taken offense to biological male transitioning and making a name for them in women’s sports. Julian Erosa’s challenge seemed to attempt to take this argument to an extreme. He used the physicality and combat nature of MMA to make a statement about trans inclusion in women’s sports.  Representatives for Thomas have not responded publicly to Erosa’s’ challenge.

Analysis of Julian Erosa vs. Ricardo Ramos at UFC Vegas 89

Julian Erosa pulled off a remarkable victory at UFC Vegas 89. He submitted Ricardo Ramos via guillotine choke in the first round. The preliminary fight had a dramatic shift in momentum. Ramos seemed to gain the upper hand early before Erosa turned the tide in his favor.

Julian Erosa submitting opponent at UFC Vegas 89
Julian Erosa submitting opponent at UFC Vegas 89 (via MMA Fighting)

The bout began with Ramos coming out aggressively, looking to overwhelm Erosa with a barrage of strikes. The Brazilian featherweight unloaded a flurry of punches and kicks. This caught Erosa off guard and appeared to have him in trouble on the feet. Ramos sensed an opportunity to finish the fight. He shot in for a takedown in an attempt to ground and pound his way to a stoppage.

Erosa showed tremendous grit and composure in this pivotal moment. He defended the takedown attempt and managed to secure a tight guillotine choke as Ramos drove forward.

Despite Ramos’ early success on the feet, Erosa’s submission prowess and calm under fire allowed him to turn the tables instantly. Erosa maintained his grip as Ramos tried to fight the hands and escape. The Brazilian had no choice but to tap. This gave Erosa a spectacular come-from-behind victory at 2:15 of the opening round.

In case you missed it: