About this episode
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. ⸻ 👥 Featuring: Steve Kwan @BJJMentalModels Stephan Kesting @grapplearts Mike Mahaffey @OldBastardBJJ Mike German — Author, Policing White Supremacy ⸻ 🧠 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 ⸻ 📚 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 ⸻ 📖 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