The imagery in the later verses of the song appears to be explicitly about organized sport fighting-- boxing, wrestling, mixed martial arts, etc. I think the song is meant to be a critique of Western society, and the way in which the masses are being bombarded with violent spectacle in order to distract them from organizing and demanding resolution to more serious political issues that involve their interests. It's sort of the same sentiment behind the phrase "bread and circuses". The line "The empire never ended" is presumably talking about how, despite our technological advancements, modern Western culture is still, in many ways, an extension of the Roman Empire with its coliseums and gladiators. As a result, the culture perpetuates a fetishization of violence by promoting the fighters as role models for kids, and meanwhile, politicians and the upper classes get away with all manner of unethical behaviours.
The imagery in the later verses of the song appears to be explicitly about organized sport fighting-- boxing, wrestling, mixed martial arts, etc. I think the song is meant to be a critique of Western society, and the way in which the masses are being bombarded with violent spectacle in order to distract them from organizing and demanding resolution to more serious political issues that involve their interests. It's sort of the same sentiment behind the phrase "bread and circuses". The line "The empire never ended" is presumably talking about how, despite our technological advancements, modern Western culture is still, in many ways, an extension of the Roman Empire with its coliseums and gladiators. As a result, the culture perpetuates a fetishization of violence by promoting the fighters as role models for kids, and meanwhile, politicians and the upper classes get away with all manner of unethical behaviours.