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Fighting Matters
Fighting Matters
40 episodes
6 days ago
In this episode of Fighting Matters, Steve Kwan of BJJ Mental Models is joined by Stephan Kesting, Mike Mahaffey, and former FBI special agent Mike German to uncover the truth about “Active Clubs” — far-right extremist fight clubs infiltrating martial arts. Mike German spent 16 years as an FBI undercover agent, including operations against neo-Nazi and militia groups. He explains how white supremacist networks operate, how they infiltrate sports like BJJ and MMA, and what the martial arts co...
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Wrestling
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All content for Fighting Matters is the property of Fighting Matters and is served directly from their servers with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.
In this episode of Fighting Matters, Steve Kwan of BJJ Mental Models is joined by Stephan Kesting, Mike Mahaffey, and former FBI special agent Mike German to uncover the truth about “Active Clubs” — far-right extremist fight clubs infiltrating martial arts. Mike German spent 16 years as an FBI undercover agent, including operations against neo-Nazi and militia groups. He explains how white supremacist networks operate, how they infiltrate sports like BJJ and MMA, and what the martial arts co...
Show more...
Wrestling
News,
Sports News,
Sports
Episodes (20/40)
Fighting Matters
How "active clubs" use MMA to spread white supremacist hate
In this episode of Fighting Matters, Steve Kwan of BJJ Mental Models is joined by Stephan Kesting, Mike Mahaffey, and former FBI special agent Mike German to uncover the truth about “Active Clubs” — far-right extremist fight clubs infiltrating martial arts. Mike German spent 16 years as an FBI undercover agent, including operations against neo-Nazi and militia groups. He explains how white supremacist networks operate, how they infiltrate sports like BJJ and MMA, and what the martial arts co...
Show more...
6 days ago
1 hour 26 minutes

Fighting Matters
How Donald Trump Turned Politics Into WWE
In this episode of Fighting Matters, Steve Kwan of BJJ Mental Models and Jesse Walker of Rough Hands BJJ are joined by wrestling historian David Wolf to unpack how Donald Trump turned American politics into a pro wrestling storyline. From Trump’s long history with Vince McMahon and WWE, to the political weaponization of kayfabe, we dig into how the tactics of the squared circle, like manufactured rivalries, inflated numbers, and outrageous storylines, became the blueprint for his rise. We a...
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1 week ago
1 hour 7 minutes

Fighting Matters
Martial Arts as Tools of Russian Propaganda
The Fighting Matters crew gathers to discuss how Russian martial arts, such as Systema and Sambo, have been linked to far-right ideology and are being used by Russia as a tool for propaganda, recruitment, and spreading disinformation in foreign countries, including the US. We also discuss the evolving Trump-Epstein situation, right-wing ideologies in Hollywood, and how to curate the culture of your club to avoid it becoming a fascist hotbed. Thanks to Steve Koepfer from New York Combat Samb...
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2 weeks ago
1 hour 1 minute

Fighting Matters
We CANNOT allow this to be normalized.
In this episode of Fighting Matters, Steve Kwan of BJJ Mental Models and Jesse Walker of Rough Hands BJJ confront one of the most urgent challenges in martial arts today: the normalization of extremist rhetoric, abuse, and unethical behavior within the community. From Derek Moneyberg’s questionable black belt promotion by Jake Shields, to the broader cultural rot represented by figures like Jeffrey Epstein and their enablers, we dig into how bad actors gain power, and why silence enables the...
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3 weeks ago
1 hour 7 minutes

Fighting Matters
"It's Not Fascism, Except in Every Single Way"
Stephan Kesting and Jeff Shaw are joined by Tyson LaRone (the "Warrior Philosopher" from TikTok) to look at the rise of fascism in modern times. Tyson shares his insights on the characteristics of fascist regimes, drawing parallels between historical figures like Mussolini and contemporary political leaders. We also explore the role of social media in shaping political discourse and whether it's possible to engage in meaningful dialogue in a polarized world. Tune in for a deep dive into the i...
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1 month ago
1 hour

Fighting Matters
Derek Moneyberg, Jiu-Jitsu black belt? My thoughts… — Steve Kwan, Fighting Matters
1 month ago
2 minutes

Fighting Matters
Antisemitism has no place in Jiu-Jitsu. — Jeff Shaw, Bellingham BJJ
1 month ago
3 minutes

Fighting Matters
A statement on Josh Saunders
1 month ago
7 minutes

Fighting Matters
Teddy Roosevelt Was a Jiu-Jitsu Badass
In this episode of Fighting Matters, Steve Kwan of BJJ Mental Models and Jeff Shaw of Bellingham BJJ uncover the forgotten history of Jiu-Jitsu in America, and how none other than President Theodore Roosevelt played a pivotal role in its rise. Between 1900 and 1906, Roosevelt brought Jiu-Jitsu into the White House, trained with Japanese masters, and helped spark a nationwide media craze that once made Jiu-Jitsu a household name. But the movement was derailed by xenophobia, racism, and short-...
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1 month ago
1 hour 2 minutes

Fighting Matters
America is still worth fighting for. — Jesse Walker, Fighting Matters
1 month ago
5 minutes

Fighting Matters
July 4th Meditations on Being American. — Mike Mahaffey, Old Bastard BJJ
1 month ago
5 minutes

Fighting Matters
How Trump's "Big Beautiful Bill" Will Cripple BJJ
In this episode of Fighting Matters, Steve Kwan of BJJ Mental Models and Jeff Shaw of Bellingham BJJ examine the sweeping consequences of Trump’s newly passed “Big Beautiful Bill,” and how it threatens the future of Jiu-Jitsu in America. This legislation is poised to eliminate healthcare for millions, deepen economic inequality, and significantly expand the power of ICE—all while cutting vital programs that support working-class families. For the Jiu-Jitsu community, the downstream effects w...
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1 month ago
1 hour 6 minutes

Fighting Matters
🧬 Real Talk: What Science Says About Gender Differences
In this episode of Fighting Matters, Stephan Kesting of Grapplearts and Jeff Shaw of Bellingham BJJ sit down with clinical psychologist, author, and BJJ black belt Dr. David Ley to challenge everything you think you know about gender. Is “alpha male” behavior really about dominance and strength? Or is it just bad psychology wrapped in influencer hype? Dr. Ley breaks down the biological, psychological, and cultural science behind gender norms, toxic masculinity, and the emotional hunger many ...
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1 month ago
51 minutes

Fighting Matters
⚖️ BJJ, Law, and the First Amendment
In this episode of Fighting Matters, Steve Kwan from BJJ Mental Models is joined by Jesse Walker of Rough Hands BJJ and attorney/mediator Andrew Burcham for a deep dive into the legal minefield of free speech, particularly how it intersects with combat sports culture and the internet. What does the First Amendment actually protect? Can private companies limit your speech? Why do so many fighters and fans misunderstand their rights, and what happens when “free speech” is weaponized to shield ...
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1 month ago
1 hour 12 minutes

Fighting Matters
🎙️ Giles Garcia Unleashed: Jiu-Jitsu's Voice of Reason
In this episode of Fighting Matters, Steve Kwan from BJJ Mental Models is joined by Stephan Kesting (Grapplearts), Jesse Walker (Rough Hands BJJ), and the incomparable Giles Garcia (Ronin Grappling) for a raw, unscripted deep dive into the political and cultural fault lines running through the Jiu-Jitsu world. From media manipulation to fascist creep in martial arts, Giles brings the fire with unfiltered commentary on how the right hijacked the narrative, why conspiracies thrive in the fight...
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1 month ago
1 hour 14 minutes

Fighting Matters
Is the USA Becoming a Handmaid's Theocracy?
Stephan, Jesse, and Shelby are joined by Eva Schubert from the popular Villains and Virgins Podcast to discuss tactics used by all authoritarian states regardless of whether they are theocratic, fascist, or communist in nature. They examine Margaret Atwood's 'The Handmaid's Tale' in the context of today's political climate and address the need for protests and collective action in combating these issues while emphasising the need for empathy and humanity in the face of adversity. Check...
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1 month ago
59 minutes

Fighting Matters
What Jiu-Jitsu Gets Wrong About Masculinity
In this episode of Fighting Matters, Steve Kwan from BJJ Mental Models is joined by Jesse Walker of Rough Hands BJJ, Mike Mahaffey of Old Bastard BJJ, and mental health advocate David Figueroa-Martinez to challenge the outdated definitions of masculinity still thriving in the Jiu-Jitsu world. Why are men in Jiu-Jitsu still afraid to talk about emotion? What’s the cost of performative toughness on and off the mats? And how can coaches reshape gym culture to support real growth—for everyone? ...
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2 months ago
1 hour 15 minutes

Fighting Matters
🥋 Jiu-Jitsu Is a Platform. Use It.
In this episode of Fighting Matters, Steve Kwan from BJJ Mental Models sits down with Mike Mahaffey of Old Bastard BJJ and Jesse Walker of Rough Hands BJJ for a raw conversation about why it matters—now more than ever—for Jiu-Jitsu practitioners to speak out. Why do so many people say “keep politics out of the gym”? What does it really mean to use your platform responsibly? And how can community, not conflict, be the most powerful form of resistance? From running inclusive gyms to dealing w...
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2 months ago
58 minutes

Fighting Matters
It's time for the Jiu-Jitsu community to speak up.
2 months ago
4 minutes

Fighting Matters
🦠 Why MRSA is so dangerous for grapplers
We're doing this episode in light of Ben Askren's battle with MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus). In this episode of Fighting Matters, Steve Kwan from BJJ Mental Models sits down with Jeff Shaw of Bellingham BJJ and Dr. Clayton Green, a board-certified dermatologist and microbiologist, to dig into one of the scariest health threats in combat sports: MRSA. Why are otherwise healthy grapplers winding up hospitalized with life-threatening infections? Why does doing “everything ...
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2 months ago
1 hour 17 minutes

Fighting Matters
In this episode of Fighting Matters, Steve Kwan of BJJ Mental Models is joined by Stephan Kesting, Mike Mahaffey, and former FBI special agent Mike German to uncover the truth about “Active Clubs” — far-right extremist fight clubs infiltrating martial arts. Mike German spent 16 years as an FBI undercover agent, including operations against neo-Nazi and militia groups. He explains how white supremacist networks operate, how they infiltrate sports like BJJ and MMA, and what the martial arts co...