Search Engine

The Rage in the Cage

October 17, 2025

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  • The central scandal of the *Search Engine* episode "The Rage in the Cage" involves MMA fighter Mason Lewis winning a fight by tickling his opponent, Tim Fargo, on the foot while in a dominant submission hold. 
  • Journalist Pablo Torre frames the study of sports, particularly MMA, as a 'liberal arts education' for understanding broader American culture, politics, and masculinity. 
  • The MMA community, represented by rules authority John McCarthy, resists the narrative that the tickle was a decisive or honorable tactic, viewing the outside focus on the move as demeaning to the sport's hard-won respectability. 

Segments

Podcast Announcements and Ads
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(00:00:00)
  • Key Takeaway: The podcast hosts announced a live Q&A event scheduled for Friday, October 17th, at noon Eastern, featuring guest Kellefasane.
  • Summary: Listeners were reminded of a live event where the host would answer unanswerable questions, or ‘stumpers.’ Subscribers to Incognito Mode would receive a link in their inbox, and a recording would be available the following week for those who missed it. Questions for the event could be sent to [email protected].
Vanguard and Viori Sponsorships
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(00:00:48)
  • Key Takeaway: Vanguard promotes its institutional-quality bond funds managed by a large global team emphasizing teamwork over star managers.
  • Summary: Vanguard highlighted its fixed income offerings, noting over 80 bond funds managed by a 200-person team focused on reliability. Viori offered Search Engine listeners 20% off their first purchase of versatile performance apparel using the code pjsearch.
Guest Introduction and Sports Philosophy
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(00:03:47)
  • Key Takeaway: Journalist Pablo Torre views sports as a ’liberal arts education’ that connects to politics, culture, business, and race, serving as a lens to understand America.
  • Summary: Pablo Torre, host of Pablo Torre Finds Out, introduced himself and his journalistic approach, which applies critical analysis to the world of sports. He stated that sports allow for engagement with people across political divides through shared tribal loyalties. The ensuing story was presented as a scandal with embedded lessons about the country.
The Tickling Scandal Explained
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(00:06:06)
  • Key Takeaway: The scandal involved Mason Lewis using a ‘feathery tickle’ on Tim Fargo’s foot while holding him in a submission (described as a ‘Thigh Master’ lock) during the April 2024 Rage in the Cage 24 title fight.
  • Summary: The event was a New York State bantamweight fight (135 lbs). Lewis secured Fargo’s head between his thighs, and then used his gloved hand to tickle Fargo’s foot, a move described as violating the ‘fundamental code of masculinity.’ Lewis ultimately won the fight by submission.
MMA History and Masculinity Context
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(00:12:55)
  • Key Takeaway: Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), spearheaded by the UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship), gained mainstream legitimacy around 2005 via The Ultimate Fighter reality show, despite early opposition labeling it ‘human cockfighting.’
  • Summary: MMA is the sport, and UFC is the league, designed as the ultimate contest combining various fighting styles. Early MMA was illegal in many states, famously condemned by Senator John McCain. The sport’s growth was fueled by its raw, uncut nature and later by reality television, attracting an audience seeking an outlet for ‘unrestrained masculinity.’
Joe Rogan and Masculine Identity
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(00:26:52)
  • Key Takeaway: Joe Rogan’s influence, stemming from his early MMA commentary and The Joe Rogan Experience podcast, offers men an alternative path to masculinity focused on physical discipline (like Nordic curls and jiu-jitsu) rather than the anxious critique often favored by liberal arts types.
  • Summary: Rogan is positioned as a central figure in MMA culture, advocating for physical training and fighting as stress relief that promotes kindness. His approach contrasts with the tendency of some liberal arts men to only discuss masculinity in terms of toxicity. The segment suggests that grappling sports provide a healthier way for men to perform gender identity.
Rules Authority Dismissal of Tickling
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(00:39:08)
  • Key Takeaway: John McCarthy (‘Big John’), a primary rules authority in MMA since UFC One, confirmed that tickling is legal but dismissed its effectiveness, arguing it is not worthy of constitutional amendment or concern.
  • Summary: McCarthy, who helped write the MMA rulebook, was unconcerned by the tickling incident, viewing it as an irrelevant distraction rather than a significant tactical development. He maintained that tickling has never effectively stopped a fight in his experience, suggesting the outside focus on the move was misplaced.
The Tickler’s Intent and Defense
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(00:48:42)
  • Key Takeaway: Mason Lewis, the tickler, confirmed his action was intentional, stating he used the tactic because he knew people are ticklish and he was seeking the win, affirming he would ‘100%’ tickle again.
  • Summary: Lewis, described as thoughtful and meditative, explained he used the move because it worked, viewing it as a competitive advantage within the short set of rules. As the youngest of six siblings, he admitted he would likely be ‘screwed’ if someone tickled him, suggesting he became the machine he raged against.
The Tickled Man’s Reaction
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(00:52:30)
  • Key Takeaway: Tim Fargo, the tickled fighter, was respectful of Lewis but admitted the unexpected move mentally took him out of the fight, and he would be willing to use tickling himself in a rematch.
  • Summary: Fargo stated that the internet was unkind to him for losing to the ’tickler,’ though he felt he was dominating before the incident. He confirmed the move was effective enough to disrupt his focus, leading him to agree he would employ tickling if necessary in a potential rematch.