In this episode of Fighting Matters, Steve Kwan and Jesse Walker talk with writer Adrian Nathan West about his New York Times piece on Craig Jones, exploring how trolling, politics, and culture collide in modern Jiu-Jitsu.

🔗 Links Mentioned:
• The NYT Article — https://nyti.ms/3Y1N6oz
• Nate West’s Website — https://anathanwest.com
• The Baffler — https://thebaffler.com

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👥 Featuring:
Steve Kwan — https://bjjmentalmodels.com
Jesse Walker — https://roughhandsbjj.com
Adrian Nathan West — https://anathanwest.com

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🧠 Topics Discussed:
• Why Craig Jones is a uniquely effective internet troll
• Gordon Ryan’s influence on young grapplers
• How Jiu-Jitsu intersects with politics
• The importance of fact-checking in modern media
• The future of independent journalism
• Whether trolling can actually shift culture in BJJ

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📖 Chapters:
00:00 — Welcome & Introductions
02:00 — How the NYT Article Came Together
06:30 — Craig Jones’ Online Persona
12:45 — Gordon Ryan’s Political Influence
18:00 — Why Athletes Shape Public Opinion
25:10 — Left, Right, and Populism in BJJ
32:00 — Fact-Checking for the NYT
38:30 — The Rise of Independent Media
45:20 — AI’s Impact on Journalism
53:00 — Should We All Be Trolls?
57:20 — Where to Find Nate’s Work