#8: Scott Coker: The Spirit of the Fight: Martial Arts, Mastery, and Building Champions

05/12/25 • 108 min

“This journey didn’t begin with fight promotion—it began with the love of the arts, and it continues because of it.”

“Mastery is when you’re unconsciously competent—your body knows before your mind can think.”

“We didn’t just build champions—we built humans. And you can feel the difference when they walk into the room.” – Scott Coker

Welcome to a very special episode of the Black Belt Podcast. I’m your host, Harinder Singh, and today I’m joined by a true pioneer, visionary, and martial artist—Scott Coker.

You may know him as the founder of Strikeforce, the former president of Bellator, or the man who helped shape the careers of some of the greatest fighters in the world. But what sets Scott apart is not just what he built—it's how he built it.

At his core, Scott is a martial artist. A student and teacher who carries the legacy of Ernie Reyes, a master of building not just champions, but character. From training in Korea to creating global fight organizations, from discovering legends like Daniel Cormier and Ronda Rousey to launching his latest venture, “Fight Night,” Scott’s journey is a masterclass in authenticity, intuition, and martial arts spirit.

In this conversation, we dive into:

The philosophy behind building warriors from the ground up.
The subtle art of talent identification and what it means to feel someone's greatness before the world sees it.
The return to grassroots martial arts through “Fight Night” in San Jose.
The evolving culture of combat sports—from rings to cages, from Muay Thai to MMA.
And most importantly, what it really means to live, breathe, and walk the path of martial arts—on and off the mat.

This is more than a conversation. It’s a rare glimpse into the heart and mind of someone who’s helped shape the evolution of modern martial arts, all while staying deeply rooted in the traditional code of the warrior.

“This journey didn’t begin with fight promotion—it began with the love of the arts, and it continues because of it.”

“Mastery is when you’re unconsciously competent—your body knows before your mind can think.”

“We didn’t just build champions—we built humans. And you can feel the difference when they walk into the room.” – Scott Coker

Welcome to a very special episode of the Black Belt Podcast. I’m your host, Harinder Singh, and today I’m joined by a true pioneer, visionary, and martial artist—Scott Coker.

In this conversation, we dive into:

The philosophy behind building warriors from the ground up.
The subtle art of talent identification and what it means to feel someone's greatness before the world sees it.
The return to grassroots martial arts through “Fight Night” in San Jose.
The evolving culture of combat sports—from rings to cages, from Muay Thai to MMA.
And most importantly, what it really means to live, breathe, and walk the path of martial arts—on and off the mat.

Previous Episode

#7: Stephan Kesting – Survive First, Win Later

"Survive first, win later. The goal is to stay in the fight."

"Martial arts training can be the crucible for developing life skills beyond fighting—mental toughness, social intelligence, and adaptability."

"If your goal is longevity, your #1 priority should be injury prevention."

"You can’t define someone else’s success—choose your own path in martial arts and life."

-Stephan Kesting

Welcome to the Black Belt Podcast, where we explore the art, philosophy, and evolution of martial arts beyond just technique—diving deep into its impact on mindset, adaptability, and real-world application.

I’m your host, Harinder Singh, and today’s guest is none other than Stephan Kesting—a Canadian martial artist, educator, and author renowned for his contributions to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) and other martial arts. Holding a fourth-degree black belt in BJJ, he has dedicated over 40 years to martial arts training, including disciplines such as Combat Submission Wrestling, Kajukenbo Karate, and various forms of Jeet Kune Do and Filipino Martial Arts. His extensive background also encompasses studies in Judo, Sambo, Kung Fu, Capoeira, and Muay Thai.

Stephan is the founder of GrappleArts.com and brings a broad perspective on martial arts effectiveness across different contexts—from sport to street to survival.

In addition to being a world-class instructor, Stephan has a background in outdoor survival training, having completed an unassisted 42-day solo canoe trip covering 1,000 miles through seven river and lake systems, without seeing another human for 21 days.