Chapter 4: Defending the Homeland: Fight Clubs and Mixed Martial Arts
Summary
This chapter is a discussion of how the far-right has tapped into the growing mixed martial arts (MMA) arena. Physical fitness and a muscular physique have long been part of the hypermasculinity encouraged by the far-right. Similarly, being physically capable of violence is a fundamental principle for those who believe that violence is or will be necessary to pursue the far-right agenda. The creation of mixed martial arts academies or clubs that mix white supremacist ideology with the comradery of a club atmosphere and the training that builds individual and group self-esteem are an important growth area for the far-right. This outreach into MMA also provides another avenue to promote their ideology by reaching adjacent subcultures and links with the promotion of fashion and healthy living/food mentioned in the previous chapter.
The chapter asserts that MMA is a perfect “incubator” because it helps recruit youth and introduce them to important “far-right messages about discipline, resistance to the mainstream, and apocalyptic battles” (p.100). Added to this, MMA emphasizes ideals about masculinity, making it important not only as a tool of violence, but also creating a sense of community. In the same way that changes in aesthetic and language have helped mainstream far-right ideologies, so too does this focus on a regimented, disciplined scene, with the added fun of the major events, being part of a powerful community. “The MMA and fight-club worlds have organizational and financial implications for the growth of far-right extremism” (p.107). The clothing brands, tournament sponsors and hosting, and training camps and gyms create both revenue streams and networks.
The chapter concludes with a discussion of the potential avenues to disrupt the far-right reach in the MMA and fight club scenes. The particular concern is that the guidelines for physical fitness may provide at-risk youth structure, predictability, concrete plans for self-improvement, and a sense of community. This suggests that offering counter programming, offering comparable programs that combat and confront far-right ideologies but offer the same positive experiences may be a useful tool.
Comprehension Questions
1. Why are physical fitness and hypermasculinity relevant to far-right ideology?
2. How has the far-right MMA scene become more professionalized and commercially oriented?
3. How do far-right MMA gyms link fighting, training, and ideology?
4. How does MMA and other combat sports potentially contribute to the ability of the far-right to recruit new members?
5. How does MMA and other combat sports contribute to efforts at regulation of both mind and body by the far-right?
6. How do MMA and combat sports contribute to potential radicalization to far-right violence?
7. What are some of the approaches various organizations and governments have taken to try and disrupt far-right recruitment and radicalization through MMA and other combat sports?
Discussion Questions
1. What information is new to you?
2. Discuss different ways you’ve heard physical fitness and identity linked, including any “stereotypes” about physical fitness/appearance that you are familiar with.
3. Physical fitness, a sense of belonging, perhaps feelings of self-sufficiency are positive and beneficial for individuals. Discuss potential avenues to provide these feelings for youth in your community.
4. Discuss questions you may have about the potential range of community avenues to address the development and/or existence of a far-right MMA gym or fight club, or merchandise sales that support or promote far-right MMA clubs.
5. MMA is an immensely popular sport with youth around the world. How could awareness of the use of the sport by extremists to recruit and radicalize youth be made clearer to parents, coaches, teachers or other adults who work with youth?