Fighting Matters

Historian Daniele Bolelli joins us to define fascism and authoritarianism, break down the historical context of fascism, and explain the alliance between oligarchs and fascist governments, the role of fear and propaganda, and the potential role of martial arts in combatting authoritarianism. Catch Daniele's excellent History on Fire podcast wherever you listen to your podcasts or check out his site: https://historyonfirepodcast.com/ Follow him on Substack: https://danielebolelli.subs...

🎙️ 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

In this 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 and the implications for gym culture. ⸻ 👥 Featuring: Steve Kwan ‪@bjjmentalmodels‬ Jesse Walker ‪@roughhandsbjj‬ Shelby York @roughhandsog ⸻ 🧠 Topics We Cover: • What B-Team’s statement actually said • How Jay Rod responded and what it reveals • Why Craig Jones’s

🎙️ 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

Nate Quarry fought in MMA, including The Ultimate Fighter and the UFC, between 2001 and 2010. He's currently involved in suing the UFC for anticompetitive and monopolistic practices. He joins us on the Fighting Matters podcast to discuss manhood, responsibility, self worth, and standing up for other people.

🎙️ A deep dive into how Trump’s anti-Canada rhetoric flipped the Canadian election—and what it means for martial artists on both sides of the border. In this episode of Fighting Matters, Steve Kwan is joined by longtime friend and grappling legend Stephan Kesting for a raw, unfiltered conversation about Canada’s 2025 federal election. They unpack how the rise of MAGA-style politics north of the border sparked a national backlash, ultimately reshaping Canadian leadership—and exposing