Chemnitz Gym Uses MMA to Fight Far-Right Recruitment

In Chemnitz, Germany, a gym is turning mixed martial arts into a tool for democracy instead of division.

Athletic Sonnenberg opened its doors in a city where far-right groups have long used combat sports to recruit young men. While hip hop plays and gloves thud against practice mitts, this gym stands apart from many others in Saxony, where extremist ties run deep.

"Lots of martial arts gyms in Saxony are run by right-wingers," said Stani, the coach at Athletic Sonnenberg. "People know which gyms here have ties to former neo-Nazis. You know to avoid those."

But instead of just avoiding the problem, Athletic Sonnenberg decided to solve it. The club launched MMA classes in 2024, welcoming everyone from first-timers to advanced fighters. They offer mixed-gender training and sessions specifically for women, trans, and non-binary participants.

The timing matters. Saxony has become a stronghold for Germany's far-right Alternative for Germany party, which currently leads state polls. Extremist groups like the Third Path have used MMA events as recruitment tools, reaching young people who might not be interested in politics but show up for sports.

For members like Lis, the gym serves a dual purpose. "Right-wing structures and violence are present here," she said. "The MMA class helps us know how to deal with these situations, or at least feel a bit stronger when they come up."

The political element is clear to organizers, but the gym works because it doesn't require political commitment from everyone who walks through the door. One security worker joined after colleagues teased him about hitting the gym. "It was a lot of fun, so I'll definitely be back," he said after his first class.

The Ripple Effect

Athletic Sonnenberg's impact extends beyond teaching punches and kicks. By creating an intercultural space where diversity is the default, they're offering young people in Saxony a different path. Every person who chooses this gym over a far-right alternative represents a small victory for openness over extremism.

The club's broader offerings include football, volleyball, and cycling teams, building community bonds that go beyond any single sport. When condensation builds on the windows during evening training sessions, it's not just sweat but the heat of people choosing connection over division.

Simply existing as an open, safe space where newcomers can drop by without worrying about extremist politics makes Athletic Sonnenberg a quiet form of resistance in a region where the far right keeps growing.

In Chemnitz, fighting for democracy sometimes means putting on gloves and stepping onto the mat together.