This bloke reminds me of my unarmed combat instructor in the army. Do what works. Do it well. Do it quickly with aggression and go.

"The path that leads to truth is littered with the bodies of the ignorant." - Miyamoto Musashi

"Ego ruins everything" yes...so much yes....

Enjoyed this interview very much. As an Englishman myself, ex professional house-painter, and ex martial arts idealist, I related to it very much. I'd love to have a beer with Mick,... seems like a solid, straight up no-BS kinda guy!

I took a 4 day combatives class with him and it was realest training I received.

I thought this was going to be crap, but this man speaks so much truth that can be applied to so many things in life

Hits the nail on the head. Makes me feel better about the way I approach things and how and what I teach.

I love the comment of picking the less worst option. So many people think in self defense they can defend themselves and have a Moral Kombat "Flawless Victory" but in actuality in any confrontation you are 99% likely to get injured minor or major. So you have to have a predetermined mind set of accepting injury over death during an assault then be sure the attacker gets injured or killed in the process of trying to harm you.

Funker Tactical made my day with this video. Absolutely love this

Hmm, I've always considered the 'art' in martial arts to be the way you conduct your life. It's the concept of 'do' in Budo. How does this man stay out of trouble? He's refined his mind and emotions to avoid and resolve conflict I'm sure. I appreciate his perspective and agree, real violence doesn't have an art, i's just primal. But living life is an art, and for some the martial training is the key to unlocking those qualities of respect, dignity and humility. Thanks for sharing. Good stuff.

Priceless advice. Thank you to all involved in this interview and video production.

In my honest opinion this man is the best in the field.. Self defence self protection, combatives... Call it whatever you want but outside of sport combat mick coup stands above any instructor i have researched, met or trained with over the last 17 years. Hes an absolutely first class instructor..blunt as f##k, very amusing and doesn't suffer fools but if you seriously want to learn mick will seriously improve your chances of surviving a violent encounter.

He speaks the truth. Some martial arts belong to the movies not the streets

I don't think the point of 'martial arts' is that fighting itself is an art, but rather that the skills and techniques that go into fighting.

His a hard core man I feel he was talking everything I was feeling after 35 years of different styles of stand up fighting, my hat is off for you great speech. ....👍👍👍

The interviewer did a fantastic job on this bit, hats off. I'm not very knowledgeable about martial practises but I respond to sincerity and this guy's whole attitude seems to value honesty and reason in very focal way. A lot of this can apply to any discipline. Really happy to have seen this.

Top bloke!! And a breath of Fresh Air....Big Respect!!

I understand and respect that guy. With honesty he builds honor. So, since respect and honor equal love, that guy is a bloody cupid! Who, I'm sure, stings like a bee.

Very good interview!

Watching those two nimrods loading the trolley piling more weight onto the already crushed box on the bottom and slamming down newer boxes. 0:37

"make the probable possible"... sage advice for life

Amongst other things I did notice he says he has tried “all these martial arts over the years” something to that effect and now decides it’s all crap? Ok, that’s fine. I agree to an extent...But you have to admit that going through that process has lead to the current mindset. I agree with a lot he says and have also trained in different martial arts, tae Kwon do, wrestling, boxing, combat sports growing up, and recently in the last few years attended Krav Maga classes. i would never ever say that anything I learnt growing up, my early training is “crap” I understand, it’s not as useful on the street, and it can come across outdated etc.... but I have respect for what I was taught, and it has helped in my current training in Krav Maga and in many areas of my life. I think “verbally bashing” the local karate classes for e.g is not the best way to look at this. just because he has come to this ‘revelation’ later in life, should not take anything away from people who have gained, positive life experiences great or small from the martial arts. be like water not coffee...

Amazing interview!!!

great! Thx for sharing ur knowledge

Interesting interview. Thanks for sharing.

Love mr coup and his honesty, I used to teach martial arts too, now I teach physical concepts and ideas, keep up the good work, look forward to meeting and training, (or if he wants good fish and chips can come to the coast)

This is big mike from Pasadena CA and I completely agree with you 110 percent plus I have dealt with shit for years and my circle of friends can take over with their egos basically most guys have rouin it for me

Always good to hear Mick Coup, all his words are always pure gems ! Such a sharp and brilliant mind, the most brilliant guy in the self defense industy. Moreover his intellectual capacities have permit him to extract all the elements of a fight in order to create an unique combative system, with drills that can't be found elsewhere ! Such a brilliant and creative mind. I wish to express to you all my gratitude for the work that you have accomplished. Your work and your words are always big kick to all the nonsense that is ordinary said in the self defense industry.

Thanks for that, liked it a lot.

Apparently this guy hasn't taken Rex-Kwon-do. Break the wrist and walk away. Works every time.

I really enjoy these kind of videos and Funker Tactical. I am a combat veteran, currently working in the field of corrections, and I also train Kenpo. I want real fighting tips and training. Combat training that teaches real life defense. I like how he said that its like picking out a hammer. Good stuff guys.

Discipline, growth and wisdom is at the heart of every art form. There in lies the beauty and value. Lest we forget.

THIS IS WHY BRUCE LEE HAD THE MOST RESPECT FOR STREET FIGHTERS AND REALLY WAS NOT ABOUT ART BUT TO SURVIVE IN A COMBATIVE SITUATION .

GN- Once again, Thanks man!

Awesome video! Thank you.

Great video 🙏🏾

That is so true!!! For the longest time worked in security and I still do. How ever I have a hole new lòok at life. I had grow up in tough areas and had to fight lots. Street fighting was the way I had anything really goes. Then I got into Olympic freestyle wrestling and found discipline and structure from it. I then started to look at life differently understanding size dose not mater muscle also dose not mater. It is the mindset. That matters it helps a little bit size and muscle but the mind set is what makes or brakes you. For the longest time growing up I had the friends that bragged about how many fights they've had how many people they have beat up and so on and so forth. It was cooperative type let's flex type mentality. I lost all them as friends for a reason and I started to go with the if you want to impress me kick my ass ideology. They are the ones that ... anyway I had people pull knives I had one try to stab me. In short all I had was a flashlight and it was 3 on 2 but when the 2 other guys take off and the you are trying to disarm and handcuff the guy with a knife and your partner runs off. Life becomes surreal. It is funny when you see people going to box name training places. You have one person standing at the head of the class and the class is 300 People I would rather go to the smaller class the one that not many people hear about because you can have more focus more guidance to your goals. Everyday I put my uniform on I hope and pray I never have to fight or I pray that I will never have to fight for my life again but I know their are really bad people out in the world and that they don't follow rules. My plans are plan for the worst anything better then that is a good day.

Mick Coup is awesome, I attended one of his courses in south wales 10 years ago and the lessons still stick with me

best Interview i have Heard so far. so much true Insight and shared knowledge

Magnificent, oh so glad you all post.

Insightful guy and I haven't even seen what he does. But I like his philosophy!

Mick doesn't realize how much of an "artist" he actually is. What he's going for is simplicity. As much simplicity as possible which, with countless hours of training/effort leads to as much effectiveness as possible. A lot of the best art and innovation comes from making something that's complex more simple in a way that doesn't artificially strip away legitimately complexifying factors and yet makes it far more likely to achieve a certain outcome or come to a certain principle based conclusion as reliably as possible. Hence making the probable "perfect."

Good video you talk sense and I liked listening to you. And I agree.

He makes a lot of really great points. I have had a lot of experience with the guys who want to make you believe that the “3rd option” is possible. Great video!

Acknowledged problem of ego, boom. Acknowledged need for and limitations of testing for both sport and "real life" combat, boom. The only thing I think he missed/doesn't say is that the tools in the store are all found in the various arts. I'd argue that his practical approach is itself an art! Clearly, this guy "gets it" and has a ton to offer. Great find, Funker.

Yes, I trained martial arts for over 30 yrs and it took me this long to get firearms training...knife training...grapple training...and work out as hard as I can...still I need more...i still feel only 70% ready...30% of crap that will go wrong keeps me training.... this guy is awesome.

I've been reading Mick Coup articles for years to me his stuff always rings true, would like to attend a seminar one day

Honest man. Honest interview. Thank you for sharing.

"Perfection is the enemy of good " is fairly brilliant and reminds me of the old Zen analogy - In the masters mind , the choices are limited . In the beginners mind , the choices are limitless . Great video and thanks .

Spot on Mate.

Amazingly simple and logical concepts that can be applied in almost every field or discipline embraced by humans. Most people will choose the pleasant lie rather than the awkward true. Thank you for your honest clarity.

Congrats for the quality of the questions, that's also why we get those nice answers! Funny fact: in french "coup" means punch :)

Mick Coup is brilliant and I would love to see more of his stuff.

It's crazy that this isn't common sense. Like any weapon of war or tool in the garage. There is a right one for the job.

Great insights!

Great video

His views were interesting.

Micks the best instructor I have had the pressure to meet

Well said couldn’t put it any better!!!

Excellent video

That was very eye opening and worth my 11:11.

One of the most interesting and truthful videos I have watched on KZfaq. I went to a seminar earlier this year, arranged by my association. I teach self-defence. One of the ruling body/committee/officials made a statement to the other black belts there, along the lines of: "I don't recognise any black belt unless it was awarded by our grading panel." "Our" grading panel did not award him his dan grades. I nearly left the association on the spot. Arrogant didn't cover it. For one thing, he teaches Ju Jitsu, where I teach self-defence. I also have a similar outlook to Mick in that there is a lot of crap being taught out there based on lies, deceit, half-truths and making money. I try and teach techniques I know will work when someone is attacked outside the dojo. A lot of sport martial artists have the mistaken belief that they can instantly overcome years of developing muscle memory which basically is to prevent them seriously harming an opponent, when fight-or-flight kicks in and they need that ingrained reaction to survive. People who do MMA, BJJ, Aikido, Taekwondo, Judo, Ju Jitsu, etc. are often very skilled at winning trophies and forcing a submission, that's okay. What bothers me is that they think they will automatically reign supreme in the street of a bar where a fight is over in seconds, and there is no ref, no ring, no rules, and no rounds. What you will do under pressure is what you have trained for. Unfortunately a lot of students of most martial arts are told they will also be good in a self-defence situation. All lies. The fundamental principle I teach my students is "Don't be there", which has several interpretations, including the obvious one being don't go to places where you are likely to be attacked.

Very interesting... thanks!

Outstanding.

Martial arts through many years of training has taught me methods to situations where others would not see those methods. That simple. Thats what martial arts does, teaches through repetition methods of dealing with situations. The same as most education currently does! Through repetition. You can say its useless and i sort of agree it is. If you take one art on its own and think thats the solution to all lifes problems. It will not be. However with a collection of arts behind you you begin to understand and appreciate what all the repetition was for. I am confident in my skin because of martial arts. That simple.

Makes sense

Very cool!

I'm really liking your channel.

He's right. Great video.

Wow! The man knows how to talk! And think! He would be an interesting philosophy teacher!

Much appreciate FT presenting sincerely the truth as it is, the reality of life and living in this world of survival from what may come your way. Good job.

Anyway thank you for confirming my thoughts that I have had for years thank you my hat off is for you Sir

YES!!!! Not enough Mick Coup on the net!!!!

Very true. Great interview. It is the same when people watch a Disney movie and they think they can go to the zoo and give a cuddle to a lion or a bear...

Wise words,nice to hear..

I'm not a fighter at all so I can't really judge the fighting stuff but I love the way this guy thinks. Thanks for sharing your wisdom.

Damn I'm a Jumper 😆

Like this guy. Rules and technique don’t matter. Survival matters, it is the only option.

Excellent

That burning building analogy is the social issues in America in a nutshell.

Them sacred cows...ground beef

That's brilliantly said. Very thoughtful and accurate, I can completely relate from my own experience.

This guy is brilliant! FINALLY!!

How dare you violate my KZfaq safe space! If I catch that guy in an alley again, I will spinning-round-kick him in the head, followed by judo-chop, and then I will dazzle him with my nunchuck and bow staff skills....BAM!!

Funker Tactical always brings the Truth!

I like this guy. I understand his journey. Adapting and life time learning is the key to martial arts

Bru this oak is my new idle! Love it 👍🏾

I agree w the "facing a fire" analogy for the most part. This guy's having a midlife crisis it seems though.

It's true. There is no art in fighting or even real life violence, street fight. Art belongs in movies, film for example ip man, ong bak, tripple threat, the raid, etc. where all the fights are choreographed the way the director's desired or the script desired.

Zero waste , solid logic . This guy should be a “must “ visit On utube

Very cool. Truth spoken here.

Naw, man.. this guy is insane... there's absolutely nothing more effective than than making animal noises and performing multiple back flips in the middle of a fight. I mean, hell, that works against multiple swordsmen, easily dodges flying bullets, feet, and fists. When in doubt - go for the back flip and a good waaaaaaaaaah sound.

Spot on. Respect

I have been shopping for a new hammer. Some were shiny, some were colorful, some were down right fancy. I ended up buying an old, used framing hammer from a used tools booth at the flea market. It was still strong and did its job effectively. I didn't need something shiny, new and fancy. All I needed was something that worked every time I had to use it. Thanks for your insight Mike. Respect...

I've worked security for 7 years. And this guy... I have no words... only respect. Never heard anyone say it better.

Perfection is the enemy of done! That's how I've heard it in the business world. Steve Jobs used to say - "Real artists ship", a corollary to exactly what Coup is saying here, but for the business world. Everyone has ideas of perfection. MMA can be seen as a proving ground those ideas in martial arts. The market is the proving ground for your ideas in product development. My first Mick Coup video viewing, I like this guy.

I couldn't defend myself, and now - it seems, sort of, some of the time - I can. Violence is frightening. Fear is a word that denotes an experience, but if you want to know what the word denotes you'll have to have the experience, and learn to function while having that experience. Follow the criminals - they know the reality. Strength and power matter. Weapons work. Throwing a punch is a stupid thing to do. Punching someone is a good idea. There's all the difference in the world between throwing a punch and punching someone. Women and little kids punch people. Only trained or frightened men *throw* punches. Bare knuckle traveller fighters, thugs and doormen punch people. They feint, they make multiple intentional movements, they move closer, they move the hand with a little more deliberation than a good boxer might, *but they hit the target and transmit force*. The truth is there to see, but it isn't nice, as your man here says.

I want to say to Mr Mick Coup, you are so RIGHT about everything you are saying, eventhough that this following you may nat agree with but It is my repectful opinion as Martial Arts Teacher. I do believe that the old way MA and its filosophy has change my young life at the time that I needed guiadance, when I started compiting things start to change because with time there was too much comercialization and competing wasnt fun anymore, I started to see the real Ego in people and some teachers as well, while in the military I saw fighting and it true essence, and it change my way of seeing some aproaches, and I started to work on what works and what not, I devoted 40 years of my life to the prosute of becoming a good fighter, but I must admit that as years go by my body changed injuries never healed properly and the way changed. Now I understand what the way of the warrior means. I dont have a big school only few students I dont train competitive fighters anymore, but every chance I have I will tackle new thinks I dont have the last word on fighting because I feel that this will always keep on evolutionating times change and so will be fighting, I respect people like you that tells it like you see it. Thank you respectfully !! OSS

Great points here...

That's why I follow the classical definition of martial art. (Warfare)