Extremist “Active Clubs” Are Infiltrating Jiu-Jitsu

Fighting Matters

Neo-Nazis are infiltrating Jiu-Jitsu—and most of us don’t even know it’s happening.
In this episode of Fighting Matters, we’re joined by investigative journalist Mack Lamoureux to expose the rise of “active clubs”: decentralized extremist groups using martial arts like Jiu-Jitsu and Muay Thai as recruiting tools for white supremacist and neo-Nazi causes.
Mack spent nearly a decade reporting on far-right extremism for VICE News and now works with the Institute for Strategic Dialogue, tracking extremist movements around the world. He explains how these groups organize in secret, how they weaponize the power of community, and how they’re already competing in tournaments and running covert training groups in cities across North America.
This conversation is a wake-up call for anyone who thinks Jiu-Jitsu is immune to radicalization—and a roadmap for how we push back.
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👥 Featuring:
Mack Lamoureux – Investigative Journalist
Jesse Walker @RoughHandsBJJ
Mike Mahaffey @OldBastardBJJ
Steve Kwan @bjjmentalmodels
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🧠 Topics We Cover:
• What are active clubs—and how do they recruit?
• How extremist groups use martial arts to radicalize
• Why community is both a powerful tool and a dangerous weapon
• The terrifying overlap between fight culture and fascism
• What coaches and gym owners can do to fight back
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📖 Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to the Conversation
01:28 Understanding Active Clubs
05:11 Recruitment Tactics of Active Clubs
08:33 Training for a Race War
10:50 The Nature of Active Clubs
13:31 Community and Cult-like Tactics
15:29 Evolution of Active Clubs
20:41 Decentralized Structure and Terrorism
23:08 Identifying Active Clubs
26:27 The Power of Community Influence
31:14 Normalization of Extremism in Jiu-Jitsu
33:20 The Ethical Decline in Society
35:43 Understanding the Overton Window
41:13 The Role of Community in Combatting Extremism
49:46 Mental Health and Coping with Dark Subjects
54:48 The Power of Local Influence