Thread: Later today, white supremacist, alt-right & neo-nazi groups will descend on Washington,DC for a “white civil rights rally” reminiscent of the ‘Unite the Right’ rally in Charlottesville last year. Some of these far-right groups train in MMA to brawl with counter-protestors
Far-right groups like the Rise Above Movement (RAM) use MMA to recruit new members attracted to the prospect of violence. They refer to themselves as the “premier MMA fight club of the Alt-Right” & use their training to disrupt peaceful protests. propublica.org/article/white-…
Led by boxer Robert Rundo and Benjamin Daley (both exposed by ProPublica), RAM boasts 50 members and engaged in violent activities during protests in Berkeley, Huntington Beach, and Charlottesville. They have also assaulted journalists/ female protestors
RAM is not the only far-right/white supremacy group that has embraced MMA as a part of their lifestyle. Such groups are on the rise around the world, including in Russia (White Rex), Canada (La Phalange), and Germany (Kampf der Nibelungen). bloodyelbow.com/2018/3/15/1712…
White supremacists being attracted to MMA is nothing new. Hoelzer Reich, a California-based clothing brand that promoted nazi symbolism, sponsored fighters like UFC’s Donald Cerrone and James Krause before being banned from sponsoring UFC fighters in 2009. Many more examples.
Brandon Sailing — a white supremacist & convicted sex offender (who raped a minor) — fought on a Strikeforce show headlined by Ronda Rousey. He was released shortly thereafter. Another, Benjamin Brisna, was released right before his UFC debut.
The most recent case I can think of was Frank Kortz, an alleged neo-Nazi and Hell’s Angel member, was allowed to compete at an M-1 show in Russia in 2017. M-1 has since signed a partnership with the UFC.
While MMA is a diverse sport practiced around the world, it can also provide a unique platform for far-right groups to recruit members. These groups target disenfranchised youth and their MMA gyms are basically training grounds for upcoming race wars. //
