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

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👥 Featuring:
Steve Kwan — @bjjmentalmodels
Mike Mahaffey — @oldbastardbjj
Jesse Walker — @roughhandsbjj

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🧠 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

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📖 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

In this episode of the Fighting Matters podcast, hosts Steve Kwan, Mike Mahaffey, and Jesse Walker confront the relentless bullying and scapegoating of transgender athletes, especially within combat sports. They unpack how bad-faith arguments, misinformation, and moral panic have turned a tiny minority into a political and cultural punching bag, and discuss what gym owners, coaches, and training partners can do to create safer, more inclusive spaces.

🔗 Links Mentioned:
• Fighting Matters Linktree — https://linktree.com/fightingmatters
• BJJ Mental Models (Steve Kwan) — https://bjjmentalmodels.com
• Old Bastard BJJ (Mike Mahaffey) — https://instagram.com/oldbastardbjj
• Rough Hands BJJ (Jesse Walker) — https://roughhandsbjj.com

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👥 Featuring (Hosts):
• Steve Kwan — @bjjmentalmodels
• Mike Mahaffey — @oldbastardbjj
• Jesse Walker — @roughhandsbjj

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🧠 Topics Discussed:
• How trans athletes became a political and cultural scapegoat
• Bullying vs. good-faith discussion around sports and fairness
• Why hate movements target small, vulnerable groups
• Misogyny, fear, and propaganda in combat sports culture
• What gym owners can do to make their spaces safer and inclusive

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📖 Chapters:
00:00 — Why trans athletes are being targeted
03:30 — Scapegoating and bad-faith arguments
07:45 — Why this problem must be addressed by gym culture
13:10 — Sports, fairness, and fabricated moral panics
21:00 — Propaganda, fear, and political exploitation
42:30 — What coaches and gyms can do differently
54:10 — Final thoughts on dignity, accountability, and inclusion

The Fighting Matters crew is joined by Shaun Benson from The Boys to talk about about the show and how it relates to the state of the world right now. Along the way we explore the blurring of lines between credible information and disinformation, the rise of Fascism, and the real bad guy responsible for evil in both The Boys and the real world.

Follow Shaun on Tiktok https://www.tiktok.com/@shaunybenso and on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/shaunmbenson/

In this episode of Fighting Matters, Steve Kwan and Jesse Walker talk with writer Adrian Nathan West about his New York Times piece on Craig Jones, exploring how trolling, politics, and culture collide in modern Jiu-Jitsu.

🔗 Links Mentioned:
• The NYT Article — https://nyti.ms/3Y1N6oz
• Nate West’s Website — https://anathanwest.com
• The Baffler — https://thebaffler.com

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👥 Featuring:
Steve Kwan — https://bjjmentalmodels.com
Jesse Walker — https://roughhandsbjj.com
Adrian Nathan West — https://anathanwest.com

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🧠 Topics Discussed:
• Why Craig Jones is a uniquely effective internet troll
• Gordon Ryan’s influence on young grapplers
• How Jiu-Jitsu intersects with politics
• The importance of fact-checking in modern media
• The future of independent journalism
• Whether trolling can actually shift culture in BJJ

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📖 Chapters:
00:00 — Welcome & Introductions
02:00 — How the NYT Article Came Together
06:30 — Craig Jones’ Online Persona
12:45 — Gordon Ryan’s Political Influence
18:00 — Why Athletes Shape Public Opinion
25:10 — Left, Right, and Populism in BJJ
32:00 — Fact-Checking for the NYT
38:30 — The Rise of Independent Media
45:20 — AI’s Impact on Journalism
53:00 — Should We All Be Trolls?
57:20 — Where to Find Nate’s Work

In this episode of the Fighting Matters podcast, hosts Steve Kwan, Stephan Kesting, and Jesse Walker break down how bad BJJ coaches trap students with rank. They explore how belt pressure becomes a tool for fear and control, why some gyms drift into cult-like behavior, and how to spot red flags before you get stuck.

🔗 Links Mentioned:
• Grapplearts Black Friday Sale — https://www.grapplearts.com
• BJJ Mental Models Premium — https://bjjmentalmodels.com
• Rough Hands BJJ — https://roughhandsbjj.com

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👥 Featuring:
Steve Kwan — @bjjmentalmodels
Stephan Kesting — @StephanKesting
Jesse Walker — @roughhandsbjj

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🧠 Topics Discussed:
• How bad coaches use rank as leverage
• Why students feel trapped in toxic gyms
• How cult dynamics show up in BJJ
• When to leave and how to stay safe
• Why character matters more than belts

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📖 Chapters:
00:00 Intro
02:10 Why rank becomes a trap
10:45 When coaches cross the line
22:30 Cult signs inside BJJ gyms
35:40 How to get out safely
47:20 Why character matters most
59:00 Final thoughts and deals

In this episode of the Fighting Matters podcast, hosts Steve Kwan, Mike Mahaffey, and Jesse Walker talk about the recent political shift of Marjorie Taylor Greene (MTG) and her public apology regarding her past rhetoric and actions. They explore the implications of her apology, the need for accountability, and the potential for redemption in politics.

🔗 Links Mentioned:
• Fighting Matters Linktree — https://linktree.com/fightingmatters
• Fighting Matters Food Drive (direct link) — https://teamfeed.feedingamerica.org/teams/7625
• Fighting Matters Substack — https://fightingmatters.substack.com

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👥 Featuring:
Steve Kwan — https://bjjmentalmodels.com
Mike Mahaffey — http://oldbastardbjj.com
Jesse Walker — https://roughhandsbjj.com

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🧠 Topics Discussed:
• Marjorie Taylor Greene's recent apology is a rare moment in politics.
• The need for accountability and consequences for past actions is crucial.
• Creating off-ramps for defectors from harmful ideologies is important.
• Empathy and understanding can help bridge political divides.
• Misinformation plays a significant role in shaping beliefs and actions.
• The rise of extremism poses a serious threat to political discourse.
• Finding common ground is essential for moving forward.
• Public apologies can pave the way for political redemption.
• The importance of community initiatives in addressing social issues.
• Engaging in face-to-face conversations can foster understanding.

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📖 Chapters:
00:00 Introduction and Light Banter
01:24 Marjorie Taylor Greene's Political Shift
06:15 The Complexity of Apologies in Politics
10:01 Navigating Human Rights and Political Accountability
17:01 The Role of Redemption in Politics
20:58 Consequences and the Future of Political Figures
28:04 The Need for a Reckoning in Politics
35:14 Navigating Extremism and Hate Groups
37:51 The Dangers of Normalizing Hate
39:22 The Complexity of Redemption
41:30 Assessing Paths to Redemption
44:34 Creating Off-Ramps for Extremists
48:42 The Political Landscape Shift
53:16 Finding Common Ground
01:01:28 Community Action and Food Drives

MMA analyst Luke Thomas joins the Fighting Matters crew to discuss fixing fights in the UFC in particular, and MMA in general. We look at which specific type of fighter is being targeted, who might be behind it, and the role of the FBI in investigating the UFC.

More Luke Thomas MMA analysis on his YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/lukethomas

Luke Thomas gets political: https://www.youtube.com/@LukeThomasGetsPolitical

Follow Luke Thomas on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lukethomasnews

Luke Thomas on Substack: https://lthomas.substack.com/