[Watch]- Female MMA fighter getting choked by male counterpart in intergender MMA fight

Australian grappler and Brazilian jiu-jistu blackbelt Craig Jones emerged victorious over Brazilian jiu-jitsu star Gabi Garcia.

The fight, held at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas, drew widespread attention and debate both for its unique matchup and an eyebrow-raising weigh-in moment.

The clash between Jones and Garcia, which took place early Sunday morning, was notable not just for Craig Jones’ on stage but for matchup and the build-up to the fight.

The bout, while intriguing to some, raised eyebrows due to the significant physical disparity between the competitors.

Garcia, a formidable presence in the MMA world, is known for her muscular frame and weight advantage—standing 187 cm tall and weighing 107 kg.

In contrast, Jones, although no slouch, is slightly lighter and shorter, measuring 183 cm and weighing 93 kg.

The Jamaican 800m runner is the latest to sign up for the lucrative women’s-only athletics event that is sponsored by tennis legend Serena Williams’ husband Alexis Ohanian.

Despite the physical advantages of Garcia, Jones demonstrated his grappling prowess from the outset.

Known for his expertise in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Jones controlled the pace of the fight, particularly in the first round.

He showcased his technical skill with a series of submission attempts, including a twister and a heel hook.

A track athlete was raided by anti-doping officials at the Olympic village days before securing a bronze medal in the 800m event.

Garcia managed to escape from these attempts, but Jones’s aggressive tactics left little room for her to regain control.

The fight reached its climax in the second round when Jones secured a rear-naked choke.

Garcia, despite her best efforts to escape, was forced to tap out seconds before appearing to lose consciousness.

The submission win by Jones sparked immediate discussion online, with viewers expressing a range of reactions.

While some praised Jones for his restraint and skill, others expressed shock and disbelief at the outcome.

The fight’s build-up was marked by controversy even before the bout began. At the face-off, Jones’s unexpected kiss towards Garcia was met with visible discomfort and anger from the Brazilian fighter.

Garcia recoiled and swatted Jones away, calling his actions disrespectful. The incident fuelled further debate, with some critics arguing that Jones’s behaviour was inappropriate and unprofessional.

The discussion surrounding the fight is part of a broader conversation about intergender competition and its place in combat sports.

This match follows recent debates about gender and eligibility in sports, highlighted by the controversial cases of Imane Khelif and Lin Yu-Ting at the Paris 2024 Olympics, who faced scrutiny over gender eligibility testing.

Despite the controversy, Jones’s victory is a testament to his grappling expertise and competitive spirit.