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 Sambo (https://www.instagram.com/sambosteve/) for joining us today!

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 them.

We also tackle the rising presence of neo-Nazi recruitment in martial arts spaces, why UFC’s tolerance of far-right behavior sets a dangerous precedent, and how the Jiu-Jitsu community is at risk of losing its soul if we don’t act.

This conversation isn’t about clout, belts, or beef; it’s about what happens when a sport built on respect and discipline turns a blind eye to hate and abuse.

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👥 Featuring:
Steve Kwan @BJJMentalModels
Jesse Walker @RoughHandsBJJ

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🧠 Topics We Cover:
• Why Derek Moneyberg’s black belt isn’t just a belt, it’s a red flag
• Jake Shields’ slide into far-right extremism and what it means for Jiu-Jitsu
• The danger of giving platforms to bigots, grifters, and abusers
• What the Epstein case teaches us about power, silence, and complicity
• How neo-Nazis are using martial arts as a recruitment tool, and how to fight back
• Why “it’s not my problem” is the worst excuse you can make
• What gym owners, instructors, and students must do now

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📖 Chapters:

00:00 Introduction and Gym Updates
01:52 Derek Moneyberg's Controversial Black Belt Promotion
06:09 Ethics of Black Belt Promotions
16:24 Debate on Normalizing Hate in Society
17:16 The Jubilee Debate Incident
30:58 The Impact of Extremism in Combat Sports
34:10 The Growing Problem of Extremism in Martial Arts
39:06 The Responsibility of Gym Owners and Instructors
44:17 The Challenges of Leaving Toxic Environments
49:04 Abuse of Power and the Fight for Justice
53:51 The Importance of Protecting Vulnerable Voices
01:00:01 Taking a Stand Against Normalization of Abuse

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 intersection of politics, social commentary, and martial arts.

Check out the audio-only version of Fighting Matters on Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fighting-matters/id1808797073) and Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/3vfCZvqKUeh0MTrPI9tCU0)

Check out Tyson Larone on Tiktok (https://www.tiktok.com/@thewarriorphilosopher) and/or train with him at https://ironsidemartialarts.ca/