Fighting Matters

Fighting Matters
  • 5.0 (18)
  • WRESTLING

Fighting fascism and the far-right in combat sports like MMA and BJJ.

  1. 4H AGO

    How Hate Found a Home in Jiu-Jitsu & MMA

    This interview is an excerpt from Dark Martial Arts History, an 8-part audio documentary chronicling the history and rise of extremism in martial arts like Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and MMA. The rest of the documentary is available on BJJ Mental Models Premium, but this piece is relevant to current events, so we're publishing it here for free. In the sixth episode of Dark Martial Arts History, hosts Ben Van Doren and Eva Schubert are joined by longtime Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu educator and commentator Stephan Kesting. The conversation explores how conspiracy thinking, social-media incentives, and institutional silence have normalized authoritarian and extremist rhetoric within MMA and BJJ. The panel discusses the role of major platforms, the responsibility of fans and businesses, and the challenges practitioners face when harmful ideologies appear inside gyms themselves. Rather than treating extremism as an external threat, this episode asks what the martial arts community has tolerated, and what it must confront moving forward. Learn from Stephan online at Grapplearts: https://www.grapplearts.com Follow Stephan Kesting on Instagram: https://instagram.com/stephan_kesting Follow Ben Van Doren on Instagram: https://instagram.com/deepbluebrazilianjiujitsu Follow Eva Schubert on Instagram: https://instagram.com/evaschubert ⬆️ LEVEL UP with BJJ Mental Models Premium! The world's LARGEST library of Jiu-Jitsu audio lessons, our complete podcast network, online coaching, and much more! Your first week is free: https://bjjmentalmodels.com Need more BJJ Mental Models? Get the legendary BJJMM newsletter: https://bjjmentalmodels.com/newsletter Learn more mental models in our online database: https://bjjmentalmodels.com/database Follow us on social: https://instagram.com/bjjmentalmodels https://threads.com/@bjjmentalmodels https://bjjmentalmodels.bsky.social https://youtube.com/@bjjmentalmodels

    1h 23m

  2. 2D AGO

    The collapse of Atos (and what comes next)

    The allegations against Andre Galvao, and subsequent collapse of Atos, have sent shockwaves through the Jiu-Jitsu world. In this episode, Steve Kwan and Jesse Walker unpack the allegations against Atos leadership, the victim statements that triggered a mass exodus, and why this moment feels different from past scandals. We explore abuse of power in martial arts, why competition success can’t excuse ethical failure, and what real accountability could look like, beyond statements and social media posts. 🔗 Links Mentioned: • Fighting Matters Linktree — https://linktr.ee/fightingmatters • Fighting Matters Substack — https://fightingmatters.substack.com • "You’re Picking Your Jiu-Jitsu Gym Wrong" (Jesse Walker) — https://roughhands.substack.com/p/youre-picking-your-jiu-jitsu-gym ⸻ 👥 Featuring: • Steve Kwan — @bjjmentalmodels • Jesse Walker — @roughhandsbjj ⸻ 🧠 Topics Discussed: • Allegations against Atos leadership and the resulting collapse • Why this scandal triggered a rapid, unprecedented response • Abuse of power and hierarchy in martial arts culture • DARVO, victim silencing, and why convictions aren’t the only standard • How gyms, athletes, and platforms enable bad actors • Rethinking what "the best" Jiu-Jitsu gym actually means • Economic pressure and collective action as accountability tools ⸻ 📖 Chapters: 00:00 — Why this episode had to happen 02:45 — Victim statements and breaking news 05:10 — Why this collapse feels different 09:25 — Predators, power, and Jiu-Jitsu culture 15:55 — Choosing gyms: competition vs. ethics 20:15 — Why legal standards aren’t enough 26:18 — Accountability beyond statements 33:10 — Platforms, money, and moral responsibility 43:55 — What real action could look like 47:45 — Where the community goes next

    55 min

  3. 5D AGO

    You Can’t "Keep Politics Out" Anymore

    The idea of “keeping politics out” is no longer tenable, especially in Jiu-Jitsu and martial arts communities. Against the backdrop of escalating political violence, institutional breakdowns, and global instability, we explore the civic responsibility of gym owners, coaches, and athletes, and why silence increasingly amounts to complicity. 🔗 Links Mentioned: • Fighting Matters Linktree — https://linktree.com/fightingmatters • Fighting Matters Substack — https://fightingmatters.substack.com • This Is Why We Fight (Jeff Shaw course) — https://bjjmentalmodels.com/fight ⸻ 👥 Featuring: Steve Kwan — https://bjjmentalmodels.com Stephan Kesting — https://www.grapplearts.com Jeff Shaw — https://bellinghambjj.com ⸻ 🧠 Topics Discussed: • Why “keep politics out of Jiu-Jitsu” is a thought-terminating cliché • Political violence, accountability, and the role of video evidence • Fascism, despair, and overreaction as a martial arts analogy • Civic responsibility for gym owners and community leaders • Why neutrality increasingly favors the status quo ⸻ 📖 Chapters: 00:00 — Welcome & January 2026 reality check 04:40 — Political violence and media narratives 13:30 — Why apolitical stances are collapsing 24:00 — Global consequences and U.S. credibility 31:00 — “Keep politics out of Jiu-Jitsu” examined 45:10 — Martial arts, pressure, and overreaction 54:40 — What regular people can actually do 57:20 — Final thoughts and calls to action

    1h 1m

  4. JAN 26

    The Minnesota Shootings and What Comes Next

    Mother, poet, and US citizen Renée Good was shot by ICE on January 7, closely followed by the shooting of ICU Nurse and US citizen Alex Pretti on January 24th, apparently by members of the Border Patrol. Both Renée and Alex were immediately denounced as "domestic terrorists" by the US administration and an army of bots has been circulating a deluge of easily debunkable falsehood about the two victims. In this episode of Fighting Matters BJJ black belt Stephan Kesting is joined Tyson Larone, the Warrior Philosopher, to explore why this is all happening, who benefits from this, where is it likely to go, and how does it potentially end. We turn over every rock from the Epstein Files to suppressing the midterm elections to World War III. Follow Tyson on TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@thewarriorphilosopher and on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thewarriorphilosopherig And please share this episode with someone it would help.

    1h 32m

  5. JAN 23

    Racism Can’t Be Ignored in Jiu-Jitsu Gyms (w/ Deon Thompson & Stephen Hall)

    Racism, extremism, and exclusion aren’t abstract problems in martial arts. They show up in real gyms, affect real people, and shape who feels safe on the mats. In this episode of Fighting Matters, hosts Mike Mahaffey and Jesse Walker are joined by Deon Thompson and Stephen Hall for a candid, deeply personal conversation about how racism and hate groups intersect with Jiu-Jitsu culture, why “staying neutral” is not an option, and what responsibility coaches carry when they teach people how to fight. ⸻ 🔗 Links Mentioned: • Fighting Matters Linktree — https://linktr.ee/fightingmatters • Ohio Brasa Jiu-Jitsu (Deon Thompson) — https://ohiobrasajiujitsu.com • Bioniq Brass Band (Stephan Hall) — https://www.instagram.com/bioniqbrassband ⸻ 👥 Featuring: • Mike Mahaffey — @oldbastardbjj • Jesse Walker — @roughhandsbjj • Deon Thompson — @thompsonjiujitsu • Stephen Hall — @bioniqbrassband ⸻ 🧠 Topics Discussed: • Racism and extremism in Jiu-Jitsu gyms • Why this isn’t “just politics” • Gym culture and accountability • Belt promotions as endorsements of character • Representation, safety, and who feels welcome • Why silence enables harm • The ethical responsibility of coaches ⸻ 📖 Chapters: 00:00 – Introduction 02:10 – Why racism in Jiu-Jitsu can’t be ignored 08:30 – Extremist groups and combat sports 16:45 – Gym culture and leadership responsibility 25:10 – Promotions, character, and accountability 34:40 – Representation and who feels safe on the mats 45:20 – Why neutrality enables harm 57:30 – What coaches must be willing to confront 1:08:00 – Final thoughts and closing remarks

    1h 14m

  6. JAN 18

    This moment feels like the 1930s

    In this episode of Fighting Matters, Steve Kwan and Stephan Kesting unpack the political chaos of early 2026 and its real-world consequences for martial artists. From international instability and economic shocks to propaganda, media capture, and rising authoritarianism, they discuss why “keeping politics out of jiu-jitsu” is no longer possible... and what individuals can actually do in moments like this. 🔗 Links Mentioned: • Fighting Matters Linktree — https://linktr.ee/fightingmatters • BJJ Mental Models — https://bjjmentalmodels.com • Grapplearts — https://grapplearts.com ⸻ 👥 Featuring: • Steve Kwan — @bjjmentalmodels • Stephan Kesting — @stephankesting ⸻ 🧠 Topics Discussed: • Why global politics now directly affect martial arts • Authoritarianism, distraction, and media manipulation • Economic collapse, inflation, and gym sustainability • Voting with your dollars and leaving toxic gyms • Building unlikely coalitions in existential moments • Why silence and “staying apolitical” is no longer neutral ⸻ 📖 Chapters: 00:00 — Opening and Stephan’s rant 03:30 — Distraction politics and global instability 08:20 — Checks, balances, and institutional failure 15:00 — Elections, force, and fear 24:40 — Canada, China, and economic survival 39:00 — Why martial artists can’t ignore this 46:30 — What individuals can actually do 56:10 — Coalitions, Rogan, and strange bedfellows 01:04:40 — Voting with your dollars 01:07:15 — Final thoughts and calls to action

    1h 9m

  7. JAN 7

    We Must Never Forget January 6th. — Jeff Shaw, Fighting Matters

    Fighting Matters

    3 min

  8. 12/30/2025

    BJJ's Best and Worst of 2025

    This episode of Fighting Matters closes out the year with a no-holds-barred look at Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in 2025. The hosts break down the biggest wins, deepest disappointments, and most important moments that shaped the sport—on and off the mats. From cultural flashpoints to genuine bright spots, this is BJJ’s year in review, warts and all. 🔗 Links Mentioned: • Fighting Matters Linktree — https://linktr.ee/fightingmatters • Fighting Matters Substack — https://fightingmatters.substack.com ⸻ 👥 Featuring: Steve Kwan — @bjjmentalmodels Mike Mahaffey — @oldbastardbjj Jesse Walker — @roughhandsbjj ⸻ 🧠 Topics Discussed: • The biggest controversies in BJJ in 2025 • Sexual misconduct and accountability in the sport • Extremism, grifters, and bad actors in Jiu-Jitsu • Disappointments and missed opportunities • The year’s most positive moments and standout contributors ⸻ 📖 Chapters: 00:00 — Intro & framing BJJ’s year in review 02:45 — The worst of BJJ in 2025 18:40 — Accountability, abuse, and culture problems 41:10 — Transition to the best of 2025 46:30 — Positive standouts and hopeful trends 58:40 — Final thoughts and looking ahead to 2026

    1h 1m
See All (68)

5
out of 5
18 Ratings

About

Fighting fascism and the far-right in combat sports like MMA and BJJ.

Information

  • Creator
    Fighting Matters
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    68
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Fighting Matters
  • Show Website
    Fighting Matters

You Might Also Like