🎙️ The UFC has become more than a fight promotion—it’s a political statement.

In this episode of Fighting Matters, Jeff Shaw, Stephan Kesting, and Steve Kwan sit down with journalist Albert Samaha to unpack his explosive Washington Post article, “Two Nights in Vegas with the Fan-Bros of the UFC.” What begins as a story about fandom becomes a deep dive into the cultural and political forces shaping fight sports today.

From MAGA hat sightings to Dana White’s unwavering support for Trump, the crew explores how the UFC became a haven for right-wing ideology—and what that means for the young men growing up in its orbit.

This conversation isn’t about partisan politics. It’s about understanding how power, masculinity, and media converge in the cage—and what kind of future we’re fighting for.

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👥 Featuring:

Albert Samaha – Journalist & Author
Jeff Shaw ‪@BellinghamBJJ‬
Stephan Kesting ‪@StephanKesting‬
Steve Kwan ‪@bjjmentalmodels‬

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🧠 Topics We Cover:

• Why the UFC embraced Trumpism
• The blurred lines between sport, spectacle, and propaganda
• How fight sports influence young men’s identities
• The grifter economy and “hustle culture” in MMA
• What responsibility promoters have in shaping culture

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📖 Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to the Conversation
02:55 The Intersection of Sports and Politics
06:17 Understanding the UFC Fanbase
09:14 The Role of Authenticity in Politics
12:04 Masculinity and the Appeal of Simplicity
14:56 The Complexity of Political Messaging
17:54 The Andrew Tate Phenomenon
21:07 Human Stories in Fight Sports
24:12 The UFC's Political Landscape
27:13 Conclusion and Reflections on the Future
33:25 UFC's Controversial Support for Problematic Figures
36:08 The Shift in UFC's Image and Strategy
40:21 The Wrestling Influence on UFC's Marketing
44:36 Free Speech and the UFC's Ethical Dilemmas
47:13 Economic Class and Masculinity in the UFC
01:01:47 Navigating Modern Masculinity and Influencer Culture

In this emergency episode of Fighting Matters, Steve Kwan, Jesse Walker, and Shelby York react to the breaking news that B-Team Jiu-Jitsu has officially banned Jay Rod. The team discusses the statements made by both B-Team and Jay Rod, the implications for gym culture, and why this may be a turning point for accountability in Jiu-Jitsu.

Rather than diving into speculation, we break down what we know, what this means for the sport, and how B-Team—particularly Craig Jones—handled the situation. Could this be the blueprint for how gyms should respond to abuse allegations?

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👥 Featuring:

Steve Kwan ‪@bjjmentalmodels‬
Jesse Walker ‪@roughhandsbjj‬
Shelby York @roughhandsog

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🧠 Topics We Cover:

• What B-Team’s statement actually said
• How Jay Rod responded and what it reveals
• Why Craig Jones’s reaction surprised us
• The importance of protecting victims
• What other gyms should learn from this
• The broader problem of abuse in Jiu-Jitsu
• The cultural shift we hope this signals

🎙️ A powerful conversation about identity, inclusion, and resilience in the martial arts community.

In this episode of Fighting Matters, co-hosts Steve Kwan and Mike Mahaffey are joined by special guest Molly Reis, a three-stripe black belt and one of the most senior trans women in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Molly shares her journey through the sport, from competing every weekend in Texas to finding belonging in Seattle’s queer BJJ scene. She opens up about the challenges of transitioning mid-career, navigating concern trolling, and why visibility in leadership is key to true inclusion.

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👥 Featuring:

Steve Kwan ‪@bjjmentalmodels‬
Mike Mahaffey ‪@OldBastardBJJ‬
Molly Reis

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🧠 Topics We Cover:

• What it’s like to transition after earning your black belt
• How hormone therapy impacts physical performance
• Creating safer spaces and inclusive gyms for queer athletes
• Concern trolling, etiquette, and rolling while trans
• Why allyship in BJJ must go beyond tolerance

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📖 Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Diversity in Jiu-Jitsu
03:01 Molly's Journey in Jiu-Jitsu and Transition
06:02 Experiences of Support and Rejection
09:19 Navigating the Jiu-Jitsu Community as a Trans Woman
11:59 The Impact of Transition on Jiu-Jitsu
14:52 Understanding Hormone Therapy and Its Effects
18:17 Life Changes Post-Transition
21:04 Adapting Jiu-Jitsu Techniques After Transition
23:56 Creating Inclusive Spaces in Jiu-Jitsu
26:59 The Role of Community in Supporting Trans Athletes
30:11 Conclusion and Future Perspectives
45:40 Mindset and Gender Dynamics in Jiu-Jitsu
47:02 Creating Inclusive Spaces in Martial Arts
47:52 The Power of Representation in Leadership
49:27 Celebration vs. Tolerance in the Community
51:08 Navigating Political Sensitivities in Jiu-Jitsu
52:11 The Role of Allies in Supporting Trans Rights
56:26 Understanding Concern Trolling
01:01:11 Debunking Myths About Trans Athletes
01:05:31 Engaging in Good Faith Conversations
01:10:58 The Hypocrisy of Gender Politics in Sports
01:18:45 Encouragement for Trans and Queer Athletes
01:19:49 Finding Community and Resources in Jiu-Jitsu