Author | Lightnews

Mike Mahaffey

@oldbastardbjj.bsky.social

690 followers 320 following 130 posts

BJJ, karate and TKD black belts. Social worker by trade, working with folks with disabilities, helping them find and keep employment. LGBTQ ally. Dad and husband. Guitarist and D&D nerd. Hater of fascist and fascist wannabes.

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Mike Mahaffey @oldbastardbjj.bsky.social · Jun 13

I haven’t been on Bluesky lately. But here’s what I’ve been up to:

youtu.be/W6WfRIiRzQM?...

It's time for the Jiu-Jitsu community to speak up.

YouTube video by Fighting Matters

youtu.be

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Mike Mahaffey @oldbastardbjj.bsky.social · Apr 5

The latest episode of “Fighting Matters” has dropped! We touch on comic books, “conservative” (aka “old person”) jiu jitsu, and the power of community to make positive change! #bjj #community

BJJ, Politics & Helping People: What Can One Person Really Change? | Fighting Matters Podcast

YouTube video by Fighting Matters

youtu.be

Mike Mahaffey @oldbastardbjj.bsky.social · Apr 5

Lots of good conversation in this episode.

Stephan Kesting @stephankesting.bsky.social · Apr 2

Why do so many in our community excuse and defend clearly terrible people?

On episode 2 of the Fighting Matters Podcast @jeffshaw.bsky.social, @oldbastardbjj.bsky.social, @roughhandsbjj.bsky.social and I try to figure it out => youtu.be/vcxr6KMFre0?...

Conor McGregor, Dana White, Andrew Tate, Hero Fantasies and More

YouTube video by Fighting Matters

youtu.be

Mike Mahaffey @oldbastardbjj.bsky.social · Mar 23

We raised $1700.00 for the Salus Center today with a #jiu-jitsu seminar! Thanks to everyone who came out to support!

Mike Mahaffey @oldbastardbjj.bsky.social · Mar 17

IN FIVE DAYS, 3/22/25, I’ll be doing a seminar @deepbluebrazilianjiujitsu to benefit saluscentermi, Lansing’s LGBTQ+ community center. Top two donors also get a handmade quilt by craftsdepartment. Come learn good jiu-jitsu, build community, and support a great cause! #bjj

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Mike Mahaffey @oldbastardbjj.bsky.social · Mar 17

My beautiful bride and I braved the cold and attended a rally for LGBTQ+ rights at the Michigan Capitol today.

Mike Mahaffey @oldbastardbjj.bsky.social · Mar 2

Just a reminder that it’s metal to know that LGBTQ+ rights are human rights. #bjj seminar benefitting the @saluscentermi on 3/22/25 at @deepbluebrazilianjiujitsu.

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Mike Mahaffey @oldbastardbjj.bsky.social · Feb 25

Less than four weeks away! People are tripping over themselves to come support the Salus Center! #bjj

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Reposted by Mike Mahaffey

George Takei @georgetakei.bsky.social · Feb 22

And I am an ally. If you are too, let the world know.

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Reposted by Mike Mahaffey

Mehdi Hasan @mehdirhasan.bsky.social · Feb 23

“More than a quarter of the contracts listed by DOGE were actually already paid, the Journal found, saving no money. For instance, DOGE listed $168,000 in savings for terminating a contract with HHS for an Anthony Fauci museum exhibit. It had already been fully paid.”

Beyond parody.

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Mike Mahaffey @oldbastardbjj.bsky.social · Feb 21

Please take a minute to read this. It’s important.

Jiu-Jitsu for All @jiujitsuforall.bsky.social · Feb 20

AN OPEN LETTER TO THE JIU-JITSU COMMUNITY

Hello Jiu-Jitsu friends,

We are a collective of Jiu-Jitsu practitioners, gym owners, and coaches who love this sport and know firsthand the life-changing benefits it can offer.
🧵 1/7

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Reposted by Mike Mahaffey

Brandon Zimmerman @brandonsupersaiyan.bsky.social · Feb 18

Great listen! Don't support shithead predators just because they're good at pajama cuddles.

Lez Roll Radio @lezrollradio.bsky.social · Feb 18

Our newest episode tackles how we handle problematic figures in combat sports.

Find it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube.

podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/l...

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Mike Mahaffey @oldbastardbjj.bsky.social · Feb 20

Trans rights are human rights. The right to live authentically is a human right. Bodily autonomy is a human right. So please attend and support my seminar on 3/22/25 benefitting the @saluscentermi. You’re gonna see this on my page until seminar day. #bjj

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Reposted by Mike Mahaffey

Karim Zidan @karimzidan.com · Feb 6

Since Sean Strickland—one of the UFC's top bigots—is fighting this weekend, it's a good time to read my piece from last year on how the UFC uses hate and bigotry to sell fights. Somehow, it has become even more relevant today.

www.sportspolitika.news/p/ufc-bigotr...

For the UFC, bigotry is the main event

Some of the UFC’s top stars harbour xenophobic and sexist views. Instead of distancing itself from bigots, the organization uses them to sell fights.

www.sportspolitika.news

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Mike Mahaffey @oldbastardbjj.bsky.social · Feb 19

2/2

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Mike Mahaffey @oldbastardbjj.bsky.social · Feb 19

Food for thought. 1/2

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Mike Mahaffey @oldbastardbjj.bsky.social · Feb 18

However, one suggestion I heard recently is to see if the coach is willing to put up a pride flag in the gym. This at least sends the message that folks are welcome, and may help deter bigots from even joining. No big speeches need be made - the pride flag out in the open could speak for itself.

Mike Mahaffey @oldbastardbjj.bsky.social · Feb 18

Hmmm. That answer depends on if you are in a leadership position in the gym, and if not how safe it is for you to speak out. That is a very nuanced thing and it would be hard to give blanket tips via this platform. 1/2

Mike Mahaffey @oldbastardbjj.bsky.social · Feb 18

Someone said my continued posting about this was “absurd”. What is more absurd is that LGBTQ+ rights, in particular transgender rights are under attack. And that endangers us all. If those rights are taken away, who is next? So please support this seminar benefiting the Salus Center. #bjj

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Mike Mahaffey @oldbastardbjj.bsky.social · Feb 17

Be happy and help others. Come support the @saluscentermi and attend and/or donate to my seminar benefitting them. #bjj Remember, LGBTQ+ rights are human rights. Full stop.

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Reposted by Mike Mahaffey

Adam Cohen (My Personal Views Only) @axidentaliberal.bsky.social · Feb 15

By absolutely caving to Putin’s insatiable lust for conquest in Ukraine

Scolding Europeans over their values

And supporting the equivalent of the modern Nazi party in Germany

America has formally ceded its position as leader of the free world

All it took was about 3 weeks under Trump

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Mike Mahaffey @oldbastardbjj.bsky.social · Feb 14

Follow @submittingdisinfo.bsky.social. They are doing the Lord’s work.

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Mike Mahaffey @oldbastardbjj.bsky.social · Feb 14

I’m pretty good at jiu jitsu. Let me teach you some ways to be pretty good too, while supporting a wonderful organization. #bjj

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Reposted by Mike Mahaffey

Mueller, She Wrote @muellershewrote.com · Feb 14

REPOST if you support our federal workforce and know how dedicated they are to their jobs. Show them you appreciate them!

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