"I was never concerned about the concrete floor," Hooi wrote. "You know what you signed up for. So if you're scared about it, don't compete. Nobody is forcing you to fight."
Meanwhile, using a fake name, I began the process of applying to compete in a KOTS event.
Applications to compete are sent out via Telegram, the alternative social media application popular among both anti-fascists and the far right. After I expressed interest, a "fight application" came back that asked a range of questions: Age, height, weight, and experience, including amateur and professional fight records. Applicants are also asked about their "streetfighting/hooligan background, if you have one."
Typically, applicants are matched up according to their weight and experience. But according to the
KOTS website, "if it's a beef fight where two people want to settle their problems with fighting each other, we will not care about the weight or experience."
(Insider did not submit the application and KOTS did not respond to multiple requests for comment.)
One mystery I couldn't solve was how much money is being made, both by KOTS and the fighters.
Back in 2019, the fight club started live streaming its events and charging around $14 per fight. It has also set up a merchandise store to sell bandanas ($29) and T-shirts ($45) emblazoned with the KOTS logo. But it's not clear how profitable it is – or, crucially, what KOTS does with the money it pulls in.
According to Claus, KOTS is known to cover fighters' travel and accommodation. The KOTS website does refer to "prize money," which it says "depends on your level," though Clause says it's not clear if fighters are paid to get in the ring.
For many of the fighters, that might be OK.
"The currency in which KOTS fighters are paid in is respect for masculinity— their idea of tough, violent, unmodern masculinity," Claus said. "This public respect from other violent hooligans seems to be the most important thing for them."
'ISIS Welcome, Nazis Welcome'
In the 1960s, European governments became concerned with the trend of violent behavior perpetrated by spectators during soccer events. Gangs of violent supporters consisting of young men united through their shared ties to a specific team, would confront opposing fans before, during, or after a match either at stadiums or elsewhere, resulting in injuries, deaths, and wide scale disturbances. This emerging subculture became known as hooliganism.
Following vigorous efforts by governments and law enforcement to reduce the scale of hooliganism across the United Kingdom and Europe, gangs of rival fans have resorted to using social media to plan group fights at discrete locations instead of the spontaneous brawls that took place during matches in the 1970s-80s.
Some of the most prominent hooligan groups can be found in Russia, Turkey, as well as in Western European countries such as Germany, Italy, Spain, France, and The Netherlands. And while many of these hooligan groups are made up of men who simply enjoy fighting, others are fueled by associations with outright fascist groups and the far right.
It's from this world of soccer hooliganism that KOTS has emerged.
Simon the Savage—KOTS' most winning fighter—is himself a hooligan representing the "New Gen" firm, which is one of several violent hooligan groups associated with Denmark's Brøndby IF soccer club. (He declined Insider's request to answer questions about his involvement.) He also appears to be affiliated with the Bandidos Motorcycle Club, the second-largest motorcycle club in the world (after the Hells Angels), which the US Department of Justice and Europolis have
classified as an organized criminal syndicate. The group is
responsible for crimes such as money laundering, arms trafficking, extortion, drug dealing, sex trafficking, and murder.
background with it. Was on the YouTube wormhole for martial arts and stumbled onto this shyt. Apparently it's huge across Europe (Sweden specifically) and got inspired by "Fight Club". Just a couple of lost souls needing direction in life
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