The «Kloszard Combat» tournament, where homeless individuals were supposed to fight in cages for an online audience, ultimately did not take place. However, those who planned to profit from it have not abandoned their ideas. The case is currently being handled by the prosecutor’s office in Gdańsk.
On Monday morning, May 18, Minister for Equality Katarzyna Kotula testified at the District Prosecutor's Office in Gdańsk. Kotula is appearing in the case as a witness regarding "Prime MMA," which has caused public outcry due to one of its elements — the "Kloszard Combat" tournament
Prokuratura Rejonowa w Gdańsku prowadzi postępowanie wstępne w sprawie planowanej imprezy "Prime MMA". Na razie nikt nie usłyszał zarzutów.
— There can be no consent for the monetization of actions that involve people in difficult life situations. This event was aimed at attracting such individuals, but above all — at making a profit. After the authorities in Lubin terminated the lease agreement for the venue, the organizers began searching for a new location to hold the tournament.
Fortunately, this was not realized. But it is important for the state to finally develop effective response tools. Politicians can and should file statements with the prosecutor’s office, give testimonies, and most importantly — clearly state that there is no public consent for such «patoboi» and patostreaming, said Katarzyna Kotula at the press conference.
Eight participants, a cage, and cameras
According to the deputy, Kloszard Combat was planned as an MMA gala featuring eight individuals — not professional fighters, but people in difficult life situations, specifically recruited for this event. The fights were supposed to be streamed online, with the organizers earning from views, subscriptions, and donations. This scheme is typical for pathostreaming: vulnerable participants, conflict or humiliation as «content,» and subsequent monetization of audience attention.
W przypadku "Kloszard Combat" skala projektu była szczególnie zauważalna: pełnoprawna organizacja, możliwe umowy z uczestnikami oraz przemyślana struktura wydarzenia. Teraz prokuratura musi ustalić kluczowe okoliczności — czy umowy rzeczywiście zostały podpisane, jakie warunki zawierały oraz kto był odpowiedzialny za wybór uczestników. Kwestia świadomości ma szczególne znaczenie: według doniesień medialnych przynajmniej jeden z potencjalnych uczestników może nie rozumieć, na co dokładnie się zgadzał.
The guardian of one of the participants learned about his alleged involvement in the show from the media. This circumstance, publicly announced by the guardians, became the starting point of interest in the case.
— The only information available comes from the media, and I will also discuss this in the prosecutor’s office. It raises doubts about the awareness of the people who may have been involved in these patoboi. If the guardian claims they were unaware of the ward’s participation, yet hears about a signed contract, and similar information comes from other sources, it is essential to thoroughly verify: whether there was a contract, what documents were signed, and under what conditions. It is important to establish how the attempt to monetize such events occurred, — explained Kotula.
Scandal surrounding Kloszard Combat and Prime MMA in the prosecutor's office: Katarzyna Kotula has given testimony in Gdańsk
