Melissa Croden Blasts 'Red Pill' Hate on Women's MMA

Melissa Croden says she is tired of seeing women's MMA disrespected online and is pointing to "red pill" culture as part of the problem ahead of her UFC Edmonton bout against Chelsea Chandler on October 17.

The bantamweight contender, who has been climbing the rankings, addressed the growing negativity toward female fighters in an interview with MMA Canada. "I hope people stop s******g on women's MMA," Croden said. "I think that the women have more than enough times proved that we're exciting to watch."

What Did Melissa Croden Say About Women's MMA Criticism?

Melissa Croden pushed back on the idea that women's fights only draw attention because of looks, not skill. She recalled a fan telling her that men only watch women's MMA because they find the fighters attractive. "I don't think that's true at all," she said, pointing to years of fan messages that she describes as supportive rather than suggestive. "It has never been suggestive messages. It's always been encouragement and admiration."

Croden argued that beauty and violence aren't mutually exclusive in the sport, framing it almost like a philosophical point about femininity. "Women can be something of beauty and something of a violent nature to kind of balance that out," she said, adding that people who dismiss that duality are coming from "a caveman perspective."

Why Is Croden Bringing Up 'Red Pill' Culture?

Melissa Croden tied the backlash against women's MMA to a broader cultural shift online, referencing comments from Liz Carmouche about the division losing its marketable star power. Croden suggested political rhetoric around traditional gender roles is bleeding into how fans perceive female fighters. "A lot of people are getting on the red pill bandwagon of like women should be a traditional family unit," she said, while noting she doesn't fully disagree with valuing family. Her larger point was that nostalgia for an older social model doesn't match how women now build careers, including in combat sports, before starting families later in life.

Betting Angle

Croden's UFC Edmonton clash with Chelsea Chandler carries real stakes in a bantamweight division that has quietly deepened over the past year, and bettors should treat it as more than a prelim afterthought. Croden's style, pressure-forward with a willingness to engage, tends to produce finishes or clear decisions rather than murky split calls, which matters for anyone shopping method-of-victory or round props. Chandler brings a physical frame and grappling pedigree that could make this a live underdog spot depending on how markets shake out closer to fight week. Expect the line to tighten once oddsmakers weigh recent form on both sides, so value hunters may want to track early numbers rather than wait for fight night.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Melissa Croden fighting next?

Melissa Croden faces Chelsea Chandler at UFC Edmonton on October 17.

What did Melissa Croden say about women's MMA criticism?

Melissa Croden said she hopes people stop disrespecting women's MMA, arguing female fighters have proven they are exciting to watch and pushing back on claims that fans only watch for looks.

What did Melissa Croden say about red pill culture and MMA?

Melissa Croden said rising 'red pill' attitudes online, which push traditional gender roles, are influencing some fans to be less supportive of women's MMA.