Ed Mathna – Defender of… Something? Anything?

 

Ed Mathna – Defender of… Something? Anything?

Ah yes, Ed Mathna. A name that pops up in the dark corners of martial arts Facebook groups like a moth to a flame… or more accurately, like a moth to a bug zapper.

Now, who is Ed Mathna? Where did he come from? What noble crusade does he think he’s riding into battle for? Well, based on what I’ve dug up—and believe me, the digging didn’t take long—it seems Ed fancies himself the protector of a martial art he hasn’t touched in years, and from what I can tell, an art he doesn’t even actively practice anymore. Does he own a school? No. Operate a dojo? Nope. Lead a class in the back of a community center somewhere? Not that I could find.

Yet somehow, he’s thrown himself into the online octagon to “defend” against the alleged villainy of Mr. Hatfield and Mr. Gordon. And I say “defend” loosely here because his weapon of choice is not a well-timed roundhouse or a factual court document—it’s speculation. Hearsay. A stack of “proof” conveniently authored by him and his close circle of echo-chamber cheerleaders.

Now, here’s the kicker—this mysterious art he’s so passionately claiming was “stolen” from its sacred lineage? It’s not even the art Hatfield and Gordon are connected to. Let that sink in. You can’t steal the crown jewels if you’ve never set foot in the palace.

So the real question becomes: why is Ed Mathna so upset? Why put this much energy into discrediting two men you’ve never even met in person? Is it boredom? Is it ego? Or is it that he’s become so comfortable in the comment sections of martial arts drama threads that he’s forgotten what a real dojo smells like?

Let’s play devil’s advocate. Let’s pretend—just for fun—that Hatfield and Gordon fabricated their entire Jidokwan background. From what I’ve found in my short but telling search, every student I’ve spoken to (and these are folks who have trained with them for four years or more) says the same thing: these two have never once sold a membership based on lineage claims. They sell memberships on skill, talent, and—heaven forbid—actual teaching ability. You know, the thing martial arts is supposed to be about.

Anyone who has actually been on the mat with them will tell you they’re legit. Period. End of story.

And here’s the other oddity—if the critics really wanted the truth, why hasn’t a single one of them walked into their schools and met them face-to-face? I mean, aside from that one-time Dale Dugas popped in on Gordon with a few of his buddies. But if you’ve seen the video, you know it wasn’t a fight—it was more like a field trip for people who think Facebook arguments are UFC bouts.

I’ve read the lawsuit. I’ve seen the so-called “evidence.” It’s a circus of hearsay, screenshots, and speculation, with no real punches landed. The outcome? Dugas lost by default. Anyone with a functioning brain stem can read the ruling and see that.

What’s truly fascinating (and exhausting—I’ve got a headache from reading all this) is the dedication this crew has to laser-focus on Hatfield and Gordon. Why them? Why not other martial artists with questionable claims? Why has this vendetta lasted this long? And here’s a spicier thought—what about Adam McKinley? Does he have dirt on them that they don’t want getting out? Or is this just the same clique circling the same wagons in the same dusty, dying town of martial arts gossip?

I’ll tell you one thing—this story is far from over. There will be a next time. And when it comes, I’ll be here with my coffee, my notes, and a migraine.

Until then,
Dr. C.G. McFadden
Out.