Best Documentary
How MMA Became Putin’s Propaganda Tool
In Russia and the former Soviet Union, the extreme combat sport of MMA has grown into a powerful social phenomenon. Its champions are celebrated as superstars, worshipped by fans, and earn staggering sums. But MMA is more than just a sport — it functions as a vehicle for social mobility, a political tool, and even a propaganda instrument that glorifies a specific image of the Russian man: masculine, invincible, and always ready to defend the motherland.
Nowhere is the fusion of politics and MMA more evident than in this region. Ramzan Kadyrov, the authoritarian leader of Chechnya, uses MMA as a political weapon to boost both the image of the republic and his personal standing. He has founded MMA clubs throughout Chechnya, created his own professional league, and cultivated a team of fighters who proudly compete under his banner.
In Russia, MMA can even be a gateway to political office. President Vladimir Putin, a black belt in judo, frequently showcases his martial prowess. In the city of Krasnogorsk, the Deputy Mayor is a striking political outlier: Jeff Monson, an American, speaks no Russian and has no experience in public administration — but as a former MMA star, his rise was made possible with the support of Putin himself.
Original Title : MMA: Fighters of the extreme
Director : Ibar Aibar
Published May 3, 2025
