Gay mma fighters
From male and female gay UFC fighters to encouraging closet members to reveal their identity to the world, the MMA community embraces Pride month in a spectacular manner. Mixed Martial Arts MMA is a full combat and unarmed sport that is composed of a mix of wrestling, boxing and traditional martial arts. It is known for its outright aggressiveness and brutality as a sport with very few rules other than those minimally required to maintain a competitor's safety. MMA's popularity has surged in recent years despite the fact many sports regulators remain wary of its legitimacy as an organized sport.
The UFC is slowly becoming more inclusive, with these growing number of fighters openly identifying as LGBT. Why are there no openly gay male MMA fighters? It's a question which could in part be answered by the way UFC star Jeff Molina was treated earlier this month. Molina, who is heterosexual, wore a special UFC kit supporting Pride during his win over Zhalgas Zhumagulov, but received abuse on social media.
Learn about the only openly gay UFC fighter, Amanda Nunes, and why there are no other male UFC fighters who have come out. Find out the reasons for the homophobia and stigma in MMA and the UFC, and how the promotion supports the LGBTQ community. Being an openly gay athlete in a sport like MMA takes a lot of courage to say the least. Those who disapprove are a dying breed too and the more openly gay fighters who come out the easier it will be for everyone else. She was a contestant on TUF 20 where she made it to the quarter finals.
The contrast between the men's and women's divisions of the MMA is stark, with Amanda Nunes, Liz Carmouche and Molly McCann three of several openly gay female fighters. Jordan Leavitt had a few things to take care of, and he did. Since he was coming out of a loss against Paddy Pimblett. He was a dominant force throughout the fight.
In MMA, Pride Month is very much celebrated. From male and female gay UFC fighters to encouraging closet members to reveal their identity to the world, the MMA community embraces Pride month in a spectacular manner. .
The MMA community is no different and the LGBT community representatives can be found among fighters. Plenty of UFC fighters are a part of the spectrum and here is a handful of them. These are the UFC veterans with the most fights in the organization wit some having more success than others. .
Learn about the only openly gay UFC fighter, Amanda Nunes, and why there are no other male UFC fighters who have come out. Find out the reasons for the homophobia and stigma in MMA and the UFC, and how the promotion supports the LGBTQ community. .
As part of Pride Month, BBC Sport looks at why there is a lack of openly gay male MMA fighters and what needs to change. .