They have been organizing martial arts tournaments lately neo-nazis in the usa to promote the theory of white supremacy, recruit and train new members. The connection between the far right and martial arts is nothing new. Even prominent athletes around the world have expressed extreme positions. However, behind the scenes, the situation is even more worrying.
“Sportswashing”, the practice of organizing and exploiting martial arts tournaments (mainly MMA or Boxing) to promote the far right has been quite widespread in recent years, especially in Europe, by neo-Nazi organizations in Greece, Germany, France, but also in Eastern European countries and Russia. In the past the Guardian had highlighted the said action of far-right groups in the old continent and the utilization of martial arts clubs as incubators for followers of hate theories.
In Germany last year, as part of a major investigation to crack down on far-right extremism in the country, authorities also raided homes of neo-Nazis associated with such clubs. Among them were members of the neo-Nazi groups Knockout 51, Combat 18 and Atomwaffen Division. The leaders of the Combat 18 organization are reportedly closely linked to the promotion of the neo-Nazi “Kampf der Nibelungen” (KdN) fights, which are an integral part of the far-right martial arts scene.
In previous years, one of the most popular neo-Nazi tournaments was the White Rex, which is held in Russia and seems to have inspired many far-rights in other countries. The Vicein recent publication of, states that they have been organized for a few months now at least two neo-nazi wrestling tournaments in the US, finding out how the neo-nazi fightclub has crossed over to the other side of the Atlantic for good.
Birth of a New Frontier: The phenomenon is spreading in the USA
Above and around the ring, set up in a warehouse at Southern Californianeo-Nazis either cheered or fought, participating in the “Birth of a New Frontier”, in the first “white supremacist” wrestling tournament, as it was projected. “White Youth in Rebellion – This is the Birth of a New Frontier,” was one of the central slogans accompanying the tournament.
Since the first Birth of a New Frontier in August 2022, at least one more tournament has been held in the US. In December, according to Daily Kosorganized at Pasco, Washington, at the Hapo Center, the tournament titled Martyr’s Day Rumble, which aimed to honor Robert Matthews, head of the neo-Nazi gang, the Order. The gang in question was responsible for several robberies and the murder of Jewish presenter Alan Berg in 1984. Hapo Center officials claimed to Daily Kos that the gathering was broken up when it was discovered what it was about and the police were informed.
The neo-Nazis behind these events promise more tournaments, for more networking. As with neo-Nazi black metal festivals, Vice points out, white supremacists from various groups come together to organize their plans, but also to raise money.
Promotional video for the “Birth of a New Frontier” tournament
At that first “Birth of a New Frontier” gathering, Nazi salutes were given and medals bearing fascist symbols were awarded. The music played was in a similar atmosphere, while on the bodies of most people one could distinguish fascist and Nazi tattoos.
In an interview, featured in a promotional video, one of the winners, who had just competed, said of the tournament that “helps to prove that our ideology is superior”. Another attendee noted that such a tournament would not have been possible to organize a decade ago and this confirms that “we grow stronger and bolder.”
Participants in the neo-Nazi tournament, who came from all over the US, included well-known figures of the American far-right and members of well-known “white supremacist” organizationsAs the “Rise Above Movement” (RAM) and “Patriot Front”. The tournament was also promoted by many other fascist organizations.
The showcase of American nationalism
“This tournament was not for many. It was for those dedicated to martial arts and the building of nationalist culture. Every fighter and attendee understood that they were participating in a historic first event and for years to come will be proud to have been there,” quoted far-right blogs promoting the tournament as “showcase of the power of American nationalism”.
“Not only do we awaken the warrior spirit, but prove that we can organize ourselves, outside the basic structures. We are creating a counterculture of resistance […] For the first time, fighters from across the spectrum entered the ring to fight for brotherhood and our common goals,” Telegram messages about the tournament said, noting:
“The space was modest, the event was private and the number of invitations was limited. However, this model will serve as the foundation for what we are building and launch us into a future of continued expansion, taking us to new heights.”
The far-right website, Hyphen Reportwrote of the tournament: “There really isn’t much our enemies can do to stop the phenomenon. And the most exciting thing is that they don’t know it yet. With the foundation of competition and brotherhood, it is only a matter of time before a revolutionary critical mass is created, sweeping the Westas it happened in 1776 and 1935. And when it happens we wouldn’t want to be in the shoes of anyone who gets in our way.”
“The far right is always trying to find new ways to become mainstream and this is the latest,” he told Vice. journalist David Neiwert, which has been dealing with the extreme right in the US for years. “It means another part of everyday life will have to learn how to recognize toxic cheaters. We hope there will be an active campaign and it will spread,” he added. In an earlier 2021 interview with VICE, Mr Pavel Klymenko, spokesperson for the Fare network for tackling discrimination and racism in footballdescribed it as a natural progression for neo-Nazi MMA fighters to cross the rings even into possible acts of terrorism.
The face behind the neo-Nazi clubs
Vice’s coverage of these tournaments also focuses on a certain person from the neo-Nazi space. It’s about him Rundo, the former leader of the neo-Nazi street fighting group Rise Above Movement (RAM). The person in question has been charged with a number of crimes in the US and is currently believed to have fled to Europe.
Rundo appears to have organized a network of nationalist clubs in the form of local gyms, working with neo-Nazi and neo-fascist groups. With a look at Telegram, where recruiting and organizing takes place, more than 25 clubs appear in different countries, and experts told Vice that the number is probably much higher. The decentralized nature of the groups allows each to adapt to the local community, meaning each club varies greatly in size and style.
“There will be other such events. We will go from state to state. We will do more and more. There will be more activity clubs. It will be the street culture of white nationalismRundo said in a YouTube video about the neo-Nazi fightclub.
Source: News Beast
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