There is a very strong probability that you are correct. Outside of this internet forum I have spoken to people directly on this topic and were given similar answers that make no sense.... And guess what? These people have never stepped into a combat sports gym or sparred before.
I have trained with women before working on technique and vice-versa. But once you go into sparring mode, as a male I can feel the difference in physical strength. So you have to adjust to your opponent so you don't injure them. All that goes out the window once it is a ranked fight, the expectation for a rank fight is that you are both the same sex category (not gender).
