Australian grappler Josh Saunders has become the subject of intense backlash after Reddit users uncovered social media activity that appears to show him engaging with content tied to far-right ideologies, including references to Na*i-adjacent symbolism and groups.

The controversy erupted on Reddit’s r/BJJ community, where users posted screenshots from Saunders’s Instagram Stories and highlights that allegedly referenced “Thuleism” and other elements historically associated with Na*i Germany and esoteric fascist belief systems.

Thuleism is widely linked to the Thule Society, a group that laid ideological groundwork for the Na*i Party in the early 20th century.

One Reddit user wrote plainly: “He’s a literal Nazi. It’s not really ambiguous at all.” Others pointed out that the symbolism and themes in the posts echoed dangerous historical ideologies, with one commenter warning: “It is just a matter of time for these guys to drop the mask and embrace full na*i/fascism sh*t.”

The screenshots circulated quickly, sparking a broader discussion about the presence of extremist views in combat sports and the responsibilities of high-profile athletes. Some users questioned whether Saunders was knowingly sharing the content or if he had been influenced by fringe online communities promoting pseudo-historical or conspiratorial material.

Saunders, a decorated competitor on the Australian BJJ scene, has not yet issued a public response. You may see the Reddit post on the following link.

🚨 New Evidence: Nazi Salutes Posted on Instagram

Further escalating the controversy, new evidence has come to light. Josh Saunders has allegedly posted multiple pieces of media on his Instagram account showing him performing the Nazi salute. These posts have since been widely shared and archived by members of the grappling community.

According to Reddit users, in one post, Saunders was asked to name his favorite historical figure. Instead of replying directly—likely aware of potential platform bans—he responded with visual clues: performing the Nazi salute twice, once in a still photo and once in a short video clip.

These actions were interpreted by many as a deliberate and provocative endorsement of Adolf Hitler, bypassing Instagram’s moderation rules while still sending a clear message to his audience.

Here is  videos posted by Saunders on his instagram:

The video, along with screenshots, has reignited concerns about the normalization of extremist ideologies in sports communities.

Calls for accountability are growing louder, with many now urging event organizers and sponsors to publicly distance themselves from Saunders unless he issues a formal explanation or retraction.

At the time of writing, Saunders has still not responded to requests for comment.

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