audio, stills, text and or video: Go to http://www.zReportage.com to see more - Fallon Fox is the first openly transgender woman to compete in professional Mixed Martial Arts. In a Championship Fighting Alliance 11 bout, Fox squared off against Allanna Jones, who entered the ring accompanied by Aerosmith's song 'Dude Looks Like a Lady.' Fox's entrance was met with a chorus of boos. Nevertheless, Fox prevailed, and secured her victory in the third round with a powerful knee-to-the-throat move. Whether Fox should be allowed to compete against other women has been a topic of controversy in the sport ever since she revealed in March that she had undergone gender-reassignment surgery in 2006. The issue has ''divided athletes, promoters, medical professionals and fans, some of whom argued if the 37-year-old Fox should be allowed to compete at all. However, the Florida State Boxing Commission has licensed her under its existing policies, while sports authorities consider additional guidelines regarding transgender athletes.
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April 25, 2013 - Schaumburg, Illinois, U.S. - Coach DANIEL FINNEGAN overseas FALLON FOX'S workout at the Midwest Training Center, where mixed marital arts competitors learn the sport. Born as a male, Fox underwent gender reassignment surgery to become a woman several years ago.
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April 24, 2013 - Schaumburg, Illinois, U.S. - Transgender MMA fighter FALLON FOX trains at Midwest Training Center in suburban Chicago. The staff at MTC supports Fox in her fighting career, despite the controversy of her gender history.
© Sally Ryan/zReportage.com via ZUMA Press
April 25, 2013 - Schaumburg, Illinois, U.S. - FALLON FOX trains at her local gym.
© Sally Ryan/zReportage.com via ZUMA Press
April 25, 2013 - Schaumburg, Illinois, U.S. - FALLON FOX trains at her local gym. Fallon found herself in the spotlight after coming out as a transgender fighter in mixed martial arts. She competes against women in the cage fighting sport, which has raised the ire of some participants.
© Sally Ryan/zReportage.com via ZUMA Press
April 25, 2013 - Schaumburg, Illinois, U.S. - FALLON FOX trains at Midwest Training Center in suburban Chicago.
© Sally Ryan/zReportage.com via ZUMA Press
April 24, 2013 - Chicago, Illinois, U.S. - Mixed martial arts fighter FALLON FOX divides most of her time between home and the gym.
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April 24, 2013 - Chicago, Illinois, U.S. - Medals and gloves adorn a living room wall in Fallon Fox's home near Chicago.
© Sally Ryan/zReportage.com via ZUMA Press
April 24, 2013 - Schaumburg, Illinois, U.S. - FALLON FOX trains at her local gym.
© Sally Ryan/zReportage.com via ZUMA Press
April 24, 2013 - Schaumburg, Illinois, U.S. - FALLON FOX trains at her local gym.
© Sally Ryan/zReportage.com via ZUMA Press
April 25, 2013 - Schaumburg, Illinois, U.S. - Mixed martial arts fighter FALLON FOX, foreground, trains with coaches DANIEL FINNEGAN, left and ALEX TRUJILLO at Midwest Training Center in suburban Chicago.
© Sally Ryan/zReportage.com via ZUMA Press
April 25, 2013 - Schaumburg, Illinois, U.S. - Transgender MMA fighter FALLON FOX, left, greets fellow mixed martial arts fighter SABRINA RICHARDS at Midwest Training Center. The staff at MTC supports Fox in her fighting career, despite the controversy of her gender history.
© Sally Ryan/zReportage.com via ZUMA Press
April 24, 2013 - Schaumburg, Illinois, U.S. - FALLON FOX trains at her local gym. Fallon found herself in the spotlight after coming out as a transgender fighter in mixed martial arts.
© Sally Ryan/zReportage.com via ZUMA Press
