In a disappointing turn of events, online conspiracy theorists have launched baseless accusations of transgenderism against celebrated mixed martial artist Kayla Harrison, following her victorious UFC 300 debut against veteran fighter Holly Holm. The false claims reflect a disturbing trend of transvestigations, wherein individuals are wrongly accused of concealing their true gender identity.

Kayla Harrison, a decorated judoka with multiple Olympic gold medals and a world champion title, demonstrated her prowess in the Octagon during UFC 300 on April 13. In a commanding display, Harrison overpowered her opponent and secured a victory by submission in the second round, as reported by TheSportsRush.com.

However, the joyous celebration of Harrison's achievement was marred by a wave of hateful comments from online trolls. Though Harrison is cisgender, which means her gender identity aligns with her assigned sex at birth, she was targeted by conspiracy theorists who unjustly labeled her as transgender. This practice has unfortunately become increasingly common, particularly towards prominent women in various fields, solely based on misguided and often misogynistic views of femininity and gender.

One such derogatory tweet read, "Kayla Harrison is a Trans Female and should fight Angel Reese," referring to an American college basketball player. Other comments dwelled on her physical appearance, with one disturbingly suggesting, "she is either trans or on 'roids" (steroids).

Adding insult to injury, this is not the first time Harrison has faced discrimination and objectification. Earlier this year, during a Q&A session, a Russian reporter directed a vulgar and sexist question towards her. Arman Tsarukyan, an Armenian mixed martial artist, was asked in Russian how many times he would "f**k" Harrison if given the opportunity, to which he replied, “a few times.”

Misinformation surrounding Harrison's gender identity also permeated social media channels. On April 10, a false account claimed that ESPN had reported Harrison, formerly known as "Kyle," as the first trans athlete to compete in the UFC. This inaccurate statement further fueled the unfounded allegations against the accomplished fighter.

It is disheartening to witness such unfounded attacks on an athlete who has dedicated her life to excelling in her chosen sport. As an Olympic gold medalist and now a promising name in the UFC Women's Bantamweight division, Kayla Harrison deserves appreciation and respect for her achievements, rather than baseless conspiracies aimed at tarnishing her reputation.

The UFC community, along with fans and supporters, stand in solidarity with Kayla Harrison against the rampant discrimination and hatred that has accompanied her well-deserved success. The focus should remain on celebrating her incredible skills as a fighter, rather than engaging in divisive and harmful speculation about her gender identity.

In the face of these baseless accusations, Harrison continues to persevere, showing the strength and resilience that define her as both an athlete and an individual. It is through unity and support that the fight against bigotry and discrimination can be won, paving the way for a more inclusive and respectful future in the world of sports.