Clavicular’s appearance at Orlando’s Kia Center fight sparks outrage after Nazi symbols and salutes emerge

A boxing and mixed martial arts event at Orlando’s Kia Center has ignited a fierce backlash after Nazi symbols, alleged Nazi salutes and controversial far-right personalities appeared at the city-owned venue. Among the unexpected names involved was internet influencer Clavicular, whose brief role as a guest referee has drawn fresh attention to an event now facing questions about hate speech, public venues and the limits of free expression.Clavicular at Kia Center fight draws scrutinyClavicular, whose real name is Braden Peters, served as a guest referee during a “special attraction death match” involving “Freakbob,” a performer dressed as SpongeBob. Video from the event reportedly showed commentators criticizing Peters for allowing the bout to continue for too long, with one describing it as “very hard to watch.”Peters has built a controversial online profile around “looksmaxxing,” a practice focused on changing physical appearance. His public image has also attracted attention because of his association with figures linked to far-right and extremist circles.His presence was only one part of the controversy surrounding the Duel Arena event. Florida kickboxer Paul Nicholas Miller, also known online as “Gypsy Crusader,” competed against Ben “King” Azoulay.Miller has been identified as a far-right extremist and has previously promoted racist views. During the fight, he reportedly directed an antisemitic insult at Azoulay and appeared to perform a Nazi salute.Videos circulating online also showed spectators displaying swastika symbols and making gestures resembling Nazi salutes. The scenes quickly pushed the Kia Center event beyond a sporting spectacle and into a wider debate about how public spaces should respond when events attract extremist behavior.Kia Center and Orlando officials respond to Nazi symbolsThe Kia Center issued a statement saying it does not condone “hate speech” and follows the First Amendment. Orlando Venues, the city department responsible for managing the venue, later explained its position on access to public facilities.“Symbols of hate, including the Nazi flag, were brought to Kia Center this weekend. But hate will never be welcome here,” Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer wrote on X. “Our community will continue to stand against antisemitism and all forms of hate to ensure that Orlando is a place where every person is valued and respected.”The city also said public venues are bound by constitutional protections and cannot refuse access simply because officials disagree with an ideology or viewpoint.The Holocaust Memorial Resource and Education Center of Florida condemned the event and criticized those responsible for organizing it.“When Neo-Nazis and open white supremacists are granted a public platform in competitive sports, these are the predictable consequences. We call on those who organized the event to take accountability for facilitating this shameful display.”Former Orlando state representative and mayoral candidate Anna Eskamani also called for venues to reconsider their policies.“This is another reminder of how prevalent extremism is in our society, and of the responsibility every one of us carries to combat antisemitism, racism, white supremacy and hate in all its forms.”Eskamani added, “It is also a reason for the Kia Center, and all public venues, to re-evaluate their rules,” she added. “The First Amendment is broad, and I take it seriously, but conduct that invites and incites violence is a different question, and every angle should be explored to prevent this from happening again.”As of Friday afternoon, Orlando Weekly reported that the city-owned Kia Center had not provided an updated response to its request for comment.Catch the latest World News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.