How "active clubs" use MMA to spread white supremacist hate

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 community can do to push back.
From FBI counterterrorism policy to the role of coaches in preventing radicalization, this is a candid, high-stakes conversation about one of the most dangerous threats facing combat sports today.
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👥 Featuring:
Steve Kwan @BJJMentalModels
Stephan Kesting @grapplearts
Mike Mahaffey @OldBastardBJJ
Mike German — Author, Policing White Supremacy
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🧠 Topics We Cover:
• What “Active Clubs” are and why they matter
• How white supremacists use martial arts for recruitment
• The FBI’s approach to investigating extremist networks
• Why far-right infiltration is a growing threat in BJJ and MMA
• Practical steps coaches and gym owners can take to keep hate out of their schools
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📚 Resources & Links:
• Mike German’s book, Policing White Supremacy: https://thenewpress.org/books/policing-white-supremacy/
• Brennan Center for Justice: https://www.brennancenter.org/
• BJJ Mental Models: https://bjjmentalmodels.com
• Fighting Matters podcast archive: https://linktree.com/fightingmatters
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📖 Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to the Conversation
02:31 Understanding the Rise of Far-Right Extremism
06:33 The Historical Context of White Supremacy
11:00 The Role of Authority in Normalizing Extremism
13:16 The Impact of Political Rhetoric on Extremism
16:14 Law Enforcement's Response to White Supremacy
20:54 The Pervasiveness of White Supremacy in Law Enforcement
24:25 The Modern Face of White Supremacy
28:11 Free Speech vs. Hate Speech
41:44 Combating Hate and Supporting Vulnerable Communities
45:56 Understanding the Organization of White Supremacist Groups
51:03 The Role of the Internet in Extremism
56:41 Law Enforcement and Political Will
01:01:52 The Paradox of Tolerance in Communities
01:05:17 Effective Strategies Against White Supremacy
01:11:59 Reclaiming Masculinity and Community Space