MMA is one of those sports that sees the arrival of a new prospect every now and then. As such, the UFC has also seen its fair share of prospects break through the ranks in the past few years. Now, we apparently have a female Dagestani athlete by the name of Anya “Formel” Tatranamov.
For the most part, Dagestanis are known to be some of the most dominant fighters in MMA. Additionally, they are also related to Khabib Nurmagomedov in one way or another. However, with Anya, that is seemingly not the case. According to a Twitter user, the female fighter, who is supposedly an undefeated 15-0 flyweight, will make her UFC debut at UFC 288.
🚨BREAKING NEWS🚨
The first WMMA fighter from Dagestan known as Anya “Formel” Tatranamov is set to make her UFC debut at UFC 288.
She is currently undefeated at 15-0 and competes at flyweight but is planning to make the move down to strawweight at some point. pic.twitter.com/D8P7k9fC6y
— Ranbo (@RanboGG) February 16, 2023
As such, we can assure you that this will not be the case, since the fighter does not exist. Likely a false rumor and a troll, the fighter mentioned by the user is a fictitious character. According to Tapology, there are no records of any fighter by the name “Anya Tatranamov”. With Dagestani fighters “never” approving of women fighting, it was only a matter of time before the report was proven to be bogus.
What does Khabib Nurmagomedov think of female combat sports athletes?
Previously, we have seen Dagestani fighters disapprove of women competing in combat sports and MMA. According to their culture, women are meant to cover their faces at all times and generally stay at home. Thus it is no surprise that Khabib Nurmagomedov and Islam Makhachev are not keen on female fighters, from Dagestan or otherwise.
In the aftermath of Zhang Weili’s war against Joanna Jedrzejczyk at UFC 248, Islam wrote, in a later deleted tweet, “This is not a woman’s sport”. With the fight being one of the greatest fights in the history of the UFC, Islam was criticized for his “sexist” comments.
Eagle FC will not have female divisions as of right now. His explanation: pic.twitter.com/AzMMEY9KjR
— Helen Yee (@HelenYeeSports) December 15, 2021
Further, even Khabib Nurmagomedov previously stated that his promotion, Eagle FC, will not have a women’s division. According to Khabib, there are only a handful of competent female fighters in MMA. Additionally, Khabib also received criticism for labeling Julianna Peña’s UFC 269 win against Amanda Nunes as ‘nothing special’.
UFC fans react to Anya Tatranamov rumors
At first sight, many were intrigued by the fictitious fighter. Going by the appearance, many stated their excitement to watch the fighter in action. Moreover, some people realized the gag and tried their best to continue it. Unfortunately, former Strikeforce middleweight champion Jake Shields was one of many people, unable to avoid the bait.
They let women train? The men won't train with women
— Jake Shields (@jakeshieldsajj) February 17, 2023
she ain’t got the Abe Lincoln beard? Interesting
— Chito Trevor Darts (@hotbabelover69) February 16, 2023
We’re getting a female Khabib?
— C$D Lunch77 (@Lunch77Beatz) February 17, 2023
I'm suddenly a huge fan of all things dagestani
— Angry Mac 🇮🇪 (@AngryyMac) February 16, 2023
Time to move to Dagestan I suppose
— Absconded Llama (@abscondedllama) February 16, 2023
pretty sure they’re so few and far between because as khabib stated, women are supposed to be hidden away, in the house, cooking and cleaning almost on a lower level than men.
— 💎 (@ayersindy) February 16, 2023
Yeah…definitely legit name that…Anya Tatranamov🤭
— PRANAV KALE (@PD2091) February 16, 2023
She can ground and pound me any day 😍
— ฿grizzle (@bgrizzleM8) February 17, 2023
I think she will be champion. I watched a couple fights of Anya. She is legit with world class cardio and grappling🔥
She is a monster 🎯
— 𝘿𝙤𝙘𝙩𝙤𝙧 𝙈𝙈𝘼 (@FightDoctor_) February 16, 2023
— ᴢᴀᴄʜ ꜰɪɴʟᴀʏ 🖤 (@zfin59) February 16, 2023
Despite the rumors being nothing but an attempt at humor, would you like to see more female MMA fighters? Do you believe that we would have Dagestani female fighters one day? Would they also be dominant like Khabib and Islam? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.