Many UFC fighters reacted to the unusual boxing match and controversial ending between Angela Carini and Imane Khelif.
Speculation arose about whether Khelif should compete in women’s boxing at the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics due to high testosterone readings. Despite past rejections, Khelif competed and made their opponent quit in just 46 seconds, causing outrage among MMA fighters who took to social media to express their discontent.
#9-ranked UFC light heavyweight Johnny Walker criticized the Olympic Games’ decision to allow the fight.
Walker later deleted his post after admitting he didn’t have enough information to comment further.
@JohnnyWalker on X
I just think everyone that are reposting about the female olympic boxing issue, have no idea of the real history behind, is born a woman? Does she have genetic issues? Is she a woman or not? Most have no idea!
— Johnny Walker (@JohnnyWalker) August 1, 2024
Dillon Danis was upset by the events and felt that Carini was cheated out of her lifelong dream, sharing his frustrations on social media.
Trained her whole life to make it all the way to the OLYMPICS.. just to get cheated. Not only cheated. Abused and and embarrassed on top of it. This is despicable and unacceptable. pic.twitter.com/Q7etylRPyS
— Dillon Danis (@dillondanis) August 1, 2024
Jake Paul after hearing there’s an easier path to a boxing gold medal. pic.twitter.com/4vqWu8kPt9
— Dillon Danis (@dillondanis) August 1, 2024
Colby Covington also criticized the decision to allow Khelif to compete in women’s boxing, emphasizing the need to keep men away from women’s sports.
I tried to warn all of you. The Olympic committee, USA Boxing and the people who advocated for this madness need to take full responsibility. I feel for all the women who worked their whole lives to compete on the world’s largest stage only to have it taken away from them by a… pic.twitter.com/WNApBGi5DN
— Colby Covington (@ColbyCovMMA) August 1, 2024
Related: Jake Paul offers Angela Carini life-changing opportunity after Olympics controversy
Rafael Dos Anjos, a former UFC lightweight champion, joined in criticizing the fight, stating that allowing Khelif to compete in women’s boxing is unacceptable.
Angela Carini, I Stand with you!! As a fighter and athlete I know how many hours of training and sacrifice to get to that level of competition. Olympics it’s the highest level and people allow a man to fight a woman it’s unacceptable. If you think this is right you’re sick. pic.twitter.com/mI0I3iJ5Xl
— Rafael dos Anjos (@RdosAnjosMMA) August 1, 2024
While many internet users expressed anger towards the Olympics, Sodiq Yusuff and Chris Curtis believed it was a difficult situation to assess.
UFC veterans Derek Brunson and Kamaru Usman sided with Khelif, suggesting that fans may have rushed to judgment without all the facts.
1000% no one does research just jump on it and run.
— KAMARU USMAN (@USMAN84kg) August 1, 2024
