How to REALLY Defend Against a Weapon | Mike Donvito from The Elite You

[@hard2hurt]

Go check out Mike's website theeliteyou.com

[@nbruer1413]

Tried. However before finishing reading it jumped to register. Non.

[@dbspaceoditty]

so, i really wanna know why "aikido" doesnt work. when most of your videos lately are rather simple aikido lessons and drills?

[@hard2hurt]

@@dbspaceoditty most likely due to lack of pressure.

[@dbspaceoditty]

@@hard2hurt buy isnt that the case with the vast majority of martial arts? how many TKD guys did it for over a decade to realize nothing they learned is practical. why cant something that is aikido ever be described as aikido? your entire demonstration in this video used 10% of the force aikido uses. so if "lack of force" isnt practical. what was the point of this lesson? but dont get me wrong. i really enjoy your content and showing the "practical" side of self defense. a lot of the stuff you say "doesnt work" than 2 weeks later you have somebody literally prove you wrong. i am not sure if that is intended. but very humble to go "pressure point junk" than have you wincing and some dude touching your thumb. great content. just wish youd find a practical aikido guy to maybe shed some light on the most infamous "bullshido"

[@divergenny]

Could you please say, is Nitecore p20ix good for self defense ?

[@tonyjay617]

I've been training these tactics since childhood trying to retain or strip the remote control from my siblings

[@hard2hurt]

Bend them fingers

[@tonyjay617]

@@hard2hurt Haha! 🤣Yes!

[@Ymmij1976]

I practiced retaining the remote... I was the big bro👊💪✊💪

[@ningkon3787]

Yes, me and my brothers used to knife fight with spoons.

[@jorgepluas6837]

In my country, our rights are not guaranteed, people are murdered yet the murderers walk! We have men in their 20s and teens with long rap sheets {that include 1 or more homicides} out on the street and having done no time at all for terrible crimes. The #1 weapon people are murdered with is a gun. IRONICALLY, guns are banned in my country, yet people are still killed by them! Anyway, I always tell people that {if they are not willing to die or kill} it is best to ignore and/or avoid problems or putting themselves at risk, because those who are willing to use violence w/o a care in the world have the upper hand!

[@Ninjacob00]

Another great installment of “you gotta do the things you don’t wanna do so you can do the things you wanna do”

[@hard2hurt]

you would think that people would understand it by now

[@max-zv7sf]

Oh my god. I just had a realization. My mother used to say that good advice is always obvious, it's just boring and requires honest effort. I can't believe i am subscribed to a dude that yells at me the same things she did when i was young.

[@jamielondon6436]

@@max-zv7sf Plot twist: Mike is your mom. ;-)

[@b_f_d_d]

💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯

[@gymvideos4579]

Mike DonVito is everything the Detroit Urban Survival Training guy pretends to be

[@bloodyclovis5964]

Thank you I genuinely had a good laugh but do we dare sensei coach Dale

[@bloodyclovis5964]

We must

[@clovisthebloody9820]

Ooooio that’s a burn and a half

[@armadasinterceptor2955]

Kiss = Keep it simple stupid Yeaaaa Mahmoud is talented, but I will just stick with Commander Dale Brown, this Mahmoud guy is gone get the victim killed, or in jail.

[@b_f_d_d]

Imagine that guy vs Mike DonVito Lmao

[@marklanda6824]

Mike Donvito was my BJJ coach in early 2000s. He’s bad ass dude.

[@damarquesjohnson4087]

Mine too

[@nickperez8273]

These videos with Mike are excellent. Keep them up! As a HEMA guy who does BJJ, I’m all kinds of inspired by the knife stuff.

[@Ruizg559]

Meyer for life

[@arcturus0448]

Fiore squad where you at

[@metalheadparkey]

Marozzo checking in

[@greysenpurdy2089]

What's HEMA?

[@sherrattpemberton6089]

Have taken a liking to Talhoffer but Fiore is awesome

[@baranbaydar90]

It scares the shit out of me that there are guys with Mike’s mindset and abilities just out and about. Great reminder not to play stupid games and not to judge a book by its cover.

[@johnsonandyjohnson]

It’s in the eyes and body language. It almost seems like he could dismember and decapitate you and it would be just another Tuesday for him.

[@GlitchyRijndael]

Ok so I'm taking notes: 1. Be a BJJ black belt 2. Be about 220 lbs 3. Be an elite operator. Sounds good, I'll take this list to my local TKD school and ask them if I can start monday 😂

[@hard2hurt]

or go to theeliteyou.com

[@sliceymike]

220!?! Man. That’s a hard hit. I thought I was a bit heavy due to holidays but not 25+ lbs!!!! 😂

[@malkomalkavian]

You stick and stone defence was so tight that you let the words in under your guard :)

[@ChateauLonLon]

@@sliceymike Oh! Are you the guest in this video?

[@sliceymike]

@@ChateauLonLon yes, sir. 🙂

[@JaeJonson]

Only thing I learned is to clog the barrel with my finger for the ultimate self-defense. Wow, thought that only worked in hollywood, thanks guys!

[@hard2hurt]

totally legit

[@tenebrousdesires3258]

Next live leak video concept

[@MisterHui]

That's called sounding.

[@jordanw2843]

Should of said DUST y 😉

[@moreparrotsmoredereks2275]

That's silly, just put your forehead against it. It's the strongest bone in the body, it has the best odds to deflect the bullet.

[@MozesWild]

Having been involved in stupid stuff in security. Because this is all how to be smart against stupid. This dude is no joke. This is literally beautiful and real. Thanks.

[@jamielondon6436]

These videos have taught me never to mess with Mike Donvito. I feel that that's really good self-defence advice, even living an ocean away.

[@alexthegordonhighlander1159]

Close distance, 2 on 1 grips, bulldog jujitsu & finger manipulation. I loved this video, this always seemed the most intuitive and effective way to disarm. Makes perfect sense to me. Mike is great!

[@David-ns4ym]

Do not try to disarm someone who pulls a gun on you. The odds are way against you succeeding. These videos are not reality

[@kylem7708]

I actually REALLY like seeing the "full speed" of his stuff. Being able to do it in real-time is worth way more than the slow-mo setup stuff with actors not moving at all.

[@andrewbrady1247]

I enjoy the fact that you tell people the little things that matter. Like the last video you made sure to explain that if you defend your handgun the way Mike showed it would be causing a malfunction and you would need to perform a Tap & Rack.

[@ericfaulk2204]

The sequence from 6:50 on is fascinating. Obviously, there's a great lesson to be learned in terms of not starting from static positions, but look at Donvito's eyes around 7:24. He keeps his gaze trained on the knife, exactly as if it were a real weapon. I think this is part of the practice: the practice of situational awareness, regardless the context.

[@LgLegion]

The slickness of his grappling transitions is like asmr. Mike Donvito has to be one of the deadliest people on the planet.

[@totallysxmmyyt6787]

I love the we Mike traps the knife against the body before it's un-sheath and starts peeling away the fingers nice concept. Thank for sharing.

[@Emagg0311]

Ordered my MDV plus One based off your first video with it Mike now I am just patiently waiting since it was a "pre-sale"! Super stoked! Thanks for the great content!

[@hard2hurt]

nice man hope you enjoy it

[@kelly2105]

Me too!

[@chabi.senpai]

U R the main reason I initiated cross training to make my karate functional, u opened for me a whole world I didn't know existed, and for that I'll forever be grateful. And it's bc of this that I can ask u for ur best answer as to how could a striker best defend against a grappler without the repetitive answer; learn how to grapple. Love you Mike.

[@timmychonga4901]

Mr. Donvito moved so quick out of that, I couldn't even see how the heck he did it!!! He moves super fast for his size. Great video, things to think about.

[@frankcastle7777]

Both of you explained the truth of what happens in the real world and how to properly use your skills / weapons. Thank you and GOD BLESS.

[@JBCCT01]

Another GREAT video! Realistic, relevant and able to replicate. BRAVO!

[@dvldgz6306]

Very enticing video. Some of this I think is common "self defense" teachings that many arts do but the going to detail with grappling is a whole new world I've never seen but always wanted to. I checked out the website but I have no partners to drill with. I think I might buy it and try my best.

[@asaiya705]

I really like this one, he is one of the few i have seen talk about prying or breaking fingers. tough to shoot when your finger is backwards.

[@BurningArt78]

This guy is good. Real good. His eyes are ever watchful.

[@NorrisCFuhReal]

Now this makes actual sense. To prevent a shooting, prevent the attacker from drawing the weapon in the first place. I am definitely going to look into this, I just learned some shit.

[@maxavssw]

If you notice, Mike is constantly watching that knife the whole time. He is waiting and expecting a surprise attack. This is something that everyone should keep in mind. Once you are in a situation always stay in red mode and expect every movement to be an attack....

[@gatusberserk6972]

Very real, training so movement deal with the start of an action not when it mid flow priceless.

[@erikklase6613]

Great video and Mike is a leader and legend in combatives aka LINE program thank you

[@Thestrikeronin]

Just ordered the MDV +One excited to train with it!

[@omartech110]

Thanks coaches

[@DeezyP]

Loving these videos with MDV.

[@dotsyjmaher]

Wow y'all are great...I live in a really iffy apthouse...they know I am armed but I am disabled and I am accutely aware that druggies are VERY unpredictable and I have been thinking of carrying a switchblade to work on my plants and get the mail, etc. On the surface I treat them well and appear friendly...but when they are really high or jonesin' they get pretty strange. This is giving me some good ideas...I can't gain distance and I not only can't open carry... Even if I could that might trigger them... So I am watching any SERIOUS strategic self defense info... I really appreciate you guys

[@danbielefeldt4727]

Did anyone else notice that no matter where Mike was, Mr. Donvito ( I call him "Mr." ) was always watching where his weapons were. Icy is a friendly but Mr. Donvito was still ready to terminate their relationship with extreme prejudice.

[@Mr-Sunday]

Good eye.

[@BurningArt78]

Yes

[@lopa-u9f]

yep was worried for little Mike a few times when it was hidden and they were pressing

[@Gman-109]

Icy Mike is the kind of partner I would want as an L/E officer. I often wonder why Mike quite the L/E field, as he would be an insta hire in any of the departments in my vicinity here in Canada. Mike Donvito - legit, it's a pleasure to watch you work. Love to train with you someday.

[@brandonmangham4124]

Your my favorite channel right now dude. Thank you so much.

[@OldBadger1]

Finally! I agree with everything said and shown . Straight out of my FMA/Wrestling combination class.

[@DrMakak]

Hey Mike, I have a test idea / a thing to figure out. A lot of "bad guys" carry pepper spray nowadays. What do you think would be a good way to defend against an incoming spray? Head away arms forward? One hand trying to block the nozzle & one on the face? Full face covered with arms? I'm going to test this with inert spray, but I thought you might have insight on this

[@hard2hurt]

i have thought about doing countermeasures for spray or tasers but i don't know if that would be more useful for bad guys or good guys.

[@kelkelly5516]

@@hard2hurt Damn, that's a haunting thought, but I think if a bad guy is invested and premeditated enough to look up countermeasures to pepper spray they're gonna harm people anyway. Just my opinion. Thank you for being so thoughtful with what you put out there.

[@DrMakak]

@@hard2hurt Yeah, that's the issue with all fighting knowledge, it can go both ways. My reasoning would be that people who attack from being drunk/angry won't go searching on technique beforehand, and the premeditated criminals already have more efficient ways to build advantage, like the element of surprise, coming in a group or using lethat weapons.

[@formoney5255]

I would say you need to have been pepper sprayed before lmao. That's why if you carry it for a profession like the military or law enforcement, they make you get sprayed with it. In the military, they spray you with it and then make you go through an entire baton fighting course. If you have been sprayed before, and know what to expect, you can just power through that shit.

[@nicksalvatore5717]

@@formoney5255 power through it, maybe through a wall lol

[@johnh6532]

I've never fought anyone over a gun, but one thing I have thought about is, for a semi-auto pistol, stopping the slide. One thing that seems common is trying to get one hand on the forward portion of the slide to either control it or to wrest it out of the attackers had. But another thing is that if the pistol is discharged and you have a decent grip in the slide, it's not likely going to cycle and load a new round into the chamber. Now it's worthless until someone cycles the action. I even think that if you had the opportunity you could intentionally get your finger (other hand) on the trigger and discharge it yourself as long as you have it pointed away from yourself, of course.

[@thamomentum]

Drill! Finally!! Someone who gets it. It tells me that there is experience behind that course and not just "be a elite seal team 6 operative in 1 week!" Bullshit. Great content Mikes!

[@hatiskalli1954]

part 1 was great and this as well. this kind of product placement is something i want to see more of!

[@IceWyte]

Me reading the thumbnail: Damn Jesse really taught mike the secret to being immortal these Karate techniques are getting out of hand.

[@hard2hurt]

it was actually wonderboy that showed me the fountain of youth

[@kettlebells-ez9xi]

@@hard2hurt how wonderful

[@MotorcycleUS]

Q: Why not a simple uppercut or forearm strike to balls when they knee to belly? It's worked for me lots. Or am I just lucky with it? Also: Charge the gun, run from the knife. You can't outrun a bullet so unless can get behind cover. (Cover not concealment.)

[@sliceymike]

Use what works for you. Mike had a knife and was going to stab my favorite face. My first reaction was to use his attack to compromise his base and get behind him. This way the attack would likely be forfeited to prevent him from fully falling down and give me a chance to upgrade my situation. Like with anything, there are many solutions. Use what you can find consistent success with. I don’t like striking from inferior positions, especially when they are armed with something that will do damage with little effort.

[@warriorwarrior4958]

Icy Mike: Small joint manipulation doesn't work in a real fight Icy Mike experiencing small joint manipulation: This is crazy. Love the channel by the way. Watch your videos all the time.

[@MrMeekdasneek]

Shoutout from streetbeefs scrapyard in Gig harbor, Washington! Love your content!! 🔥🙏🏾

[@tabliganrhett1195]

Thankyou for sharing more self defense idea.. Watching from Philippines 🙂

[@Jedi_Jed]

Those bumps he does! Definitely don't want to be in a scramble with Slicy Mike.

[@stephenfawkingiii8779]

This guy is sick af, his technique is all about closing the gap and jamming his opponents and ending it quick.

[@VooshSpokesman]

Love from a Vaush and SenseiSeth fan!

[@damarquesjohnson4087]

Oh shittttt mikeeee that’s the whole reason I started training bjj !!!!

[@HeinousinAppearance]

Also worth noting if you hold the slide of a semi auto like that, or just smother it hard it can only really fire once - the bullet in the chamber. It won't properly cycle when resisted like that.

[@ronaldhernandez270]

The bowl one speak as Saul Goodman. Nice video bro

[@8020drummer]

3:44 - I would not want to be the guy trying to get the gun from Mike *Inside his closed guard*. he could threaten armbars and chokes, and create dilemmas that made be disengage, then shoot.

[@eeyuhn8038]

Algo gang. Happy new year!

[@hard2hurt]

you're a good dude

[@eeyuhn8038]

@@hard2hurt Happy new years Icy Mike!!

[@Deadlifter700]

Man, the dry humor in your channel gets me all the time.

[@grizzlydynamics]

08:04 is the best part. If you have ducktape in your backpocket, you could also try to ducktape the muzzle real quick instead of using your finger, you can still use the finger to poke him in the eye.

[@etorelly]

You can't be the world champion rower and drown. If your canoe capsizes, you need to know how to swim to the riverbank. in self defense you need to have a little of each art. It's like a toolbox, it's better to have the tool and not need it than to need it and not have it. Congrats Mike for the awesome videos.

[@enigmaticrage812]

Its really cool that i could recognize the bjj in his movements before being told he practices bjj, this from extensive research done through learning from the people like you and who have frequently shown up in your videos

[@unodosxx]

Excellent video

[@lonneydmz]

Mike can you please about good changes in diet to help with practice? Like what are your recommendations and your no go to?

[@Niborino9409]

The other Mike is so serious it's scary. Such difference in tone between you two 😆

[@Grimloxz]

I’m so glad I trained with the dudes I did. We learned this years ago. Jeez. “Create distance” with someone who has a firearm… 🤦🏾‍♂️

[@SonsOfDeForest]

its really situational. for example; an increasingly common MO for robberies is to pile out of a vehicle 3-4 deep with guns out. in such a case distance is you friend since their trying to snatch your shit, not go on a killing spree.

[@enoughofyourkoicarp]

There's something I've noticed that a lot of self-defence instructors do that I've never heard explained, when they're demonstrating a technique they always keep their hands close to their chest, for example 1:00, 1:20 and 1:50, I think the answer is to keep their arms short to avoid giving the opponent leverage but I'd rather know for sure why I always see self defence guys do that. Is it just a quirk of demonstration or is it part of proper technique?

[@davidpignatore6532]

Proper technique when drawing and aiming. Its like getting in your fight stance. Your ready but not necessarily aiming at someone. Yes, basically less exposed but its technique and taught that way for a few reasons.

[@enoughofyourkoicarp]

@@davidpignatore6532 I was more talking about Mike DonVito's posture but I appreciate the answer. EDIT: To clarify 1:00 and 1:20 when he's stopping Icy Mike from drawing and 1:50 when Icy Mike is stopping Mike DonVito from drawing.

[@davidpignatore6532]

@enoughofyourkoicarp i thought you meant his posture when he's holding the gun close to his body. He does it when stopping the draw or other situations cause closer your arms are to your body, the stronger you are and can use your bodyweight. Better control and closing the distance without over extending. Idk if you ever wrestled or grappled but you may have heard "t-rex" arms. Same idea. Stronger and harder to counter. Hope that helps

[@enoughofyourkoicarp]

@@davidpignatore6532 I thought it might be something along those lines, thanks for the clarification.

[@davidpignatore6532]

@@enoughofyourkoicarp np.

[@NASkeywest]

Dude calls a knife and gun “Tools.”….. That dude is cold blooded when it comes to life and death fight training. Which is honestly a good thing.

[@shinshoryu]

Could you get the gun out by keeping the hands in place and kneeling? More like getting the holster out of the weapon instead of the weapon out of the holster? Just a thought.

[@lunaticfae4415]

Probably not. Your hands and gun will be forced down at the same rate as your hips and holster.

[@Kerthil]

I'll be honest, Mike seems like a really cool guy, but when he starts showing techniques he just frightens me.

[@Moving_Target65]

When I saw the gun defense by sucking away distance reminded of me of, "Grabbing the enemy's belt."

[@LionAstrology]

Great video thanks. 🙏

[@stutteringdisciple1919]

Where can you get the knife you showed at 4:12?

[@AdolfHitler-pm3lc]

Go to his channel and scroll for his "The Best Knife For Self Defense Should Have These Features" I think he has a link to it there. The thumbnail is him holding a black version of the knife

[@doublek1968]

GREAT stuff!!!! But what pants are you wearing.? they didn't seem too hinder movement at all.

[@David-ns4ym]

Cqb is simple Fist vs fist it’s equal or at least up to the fighters. Fist vs blade it’s the knife that has the advantage and if you can you run or engage only of cornered Fist vs gun you must run. You do not stand a chance vs gun. Doesn’t matter how many push ups you can do. Or beard you trim, nor how long you stare at your arms after you shave them. You must run, follow the commands, and fight only if you are in imminent danger. You must respect the gun and know you are outmatched the second it’s pulled on you. Anything else snd you ate dead Im 6’2” and 220lbs I go into a combat stance and pull my HnK slim, 500 SnW, or even my 22, you aren’t stopping me.

[@goatman4287]

wow i've never seen a knee-on-belly clear like this one, nice!

[@dijon0810]

In my jiujitsu classes the outside knee push + bump was the first one we learned. We use it for a take the back drill just like he showed

[@hard2hurt]

funny how it works. I've done bjj off and on for years and was NEVER shown any defense to knee on belly until i did an eli knight seminar specifically about KOB

[@dijon0810]

@@hard2hurt yeah I wish they was a more unified curriculum. My teacher just earned his black belt after about 20 years a couple years back. Makes sense though because his teacher was a luta livre competitor in Brazil so there was a lot of wrestling mixed in

[@mr28086]

Dusty brown looking at Mike licking his lips and wishing he was him lol

[@EnFyr]

Just placing a blade on somebody in a grapling scenario would make them flinch and open up while doing damage. Brutal stuff.

[@sugacanebeats17]

Dyslexia made me read this at first as "How to defend against a weapon with Danny Devito"

[@DrGetgood]

You really upped your thumbnail game with this one.

[@ZenDragonYoutubeChannel]

Good stuff

[@bigwig2659]

So in summary, biting and/or gouging wont stop your assailant but pressing their thumb really hard is super helpful...

[@kennyloish4682]

What do you do if you have no one to train with Or can afford d self defence classes?

[@TomEllul]

would love to see a proper FMA guy do some stuff with Mike, I think it'll go well with this type of stuff

[@ck-rd2ce]

What's your view of schools of thought like SCARS/TFT ie focusing on injury?

[@divergenny]

Sorry, NITECORE P20ix is good for self defense ? Ot it would be better to look on another flashlight ? Coud you please recommend ?

[@willjordan6697]

Can't wait to get my mdv!!!

[@hard2hurt]

you're gonna love it.

[@willjordan6697]

@@hard2hurt subscribed to elite you as well. I can't wait to keep sharpening my skills with Michael Donvito and Jack Nevils.

[@esgietheqroue]

Here's a question Mike: how do you handle a person giving you orders? As in a civilian person who has no right to give you orders, but does so to assert dominance over you. I've noticed that abusive and violent people love giving orders. Sometimes this is a precursor to pysical violence, since it forces the victim to submit to the aggressors will without actual conflict. But often it is a form of verbal violence in and itself - it is a way of diminishing and subjugating the other person without breaking any laws or being overtly hostile. I would love to see a video on this subject!

[@code-dredd]

Well, the few cases where I've seen armed attackers close in on their targets while trying to draw or aim a gun is in movies... also, I don't have the size/mass your demo guy here has, so I can see how _he_ can keep _you_ on the ground with his weight. Even when practicing jiu-jitsu, most other guys are bigger than I am, which basically means that most of the time I'm in more of a survival mode - not throwing 200 lb+ guys around.

[@kennethwallin9378]

😮 Daawwm Mike !

[@lincoln5775]

Mike is very cool in this vid

[@cpt191021]

good stuff

[@jokingjesster3874]

Jack of all trades master of none

[@sliceymike]

“……but oftentimes better than a master of one.” Everyone likes a good quote.

[@TheJoedonbakerfan]

So was Hoffa right about charging a gun and running from a knife?

[@kreaturs_kave]

Lol Mike.... You broke me /dying. Ahhh, Thee old finger in the barrel gag. Works every time /cough*

[@anatolysoldat4775]

RUN!!!

[@finalbossd]

This is why I carry a dagger on the opposite side of my gun. If someone pins my gun, I still have my other side to retrieve the dagger to create space to draw.

[@zechariahruncorn3887]

You guys should teach that dude dale brown how to actually defend himself 😂 he’s gonna get himself shot or something

[@yashaoftheflames8475]

Hey mike how effective is cut-resistant clothing?

[@deafsmith1006]

When you draw your gun... step back or to one side while drawing so they cannot reach you while drawing.. then fire from retention/hip position.

[@spaz.dropshii1]

Hey mike I am a 15 year old wing chun black sash and a Bjj blue belt and I train in Muay Thai…. I was wondering if u have any ideas for what I should start training in next? I was thinking maybe hapkido or Krav Maga

[@joshuajohnson4396]

I have had 1 gun and 2 knife related instances in my life. The gun was a "other side of the room" my friend was shot in the gut in the bathroom at a different time . He was fighting the man. I got the he'll out. I'm 6'4" 260lbs. You think I'm weak, ask the 3 men I work with that fought me for 2 hrs one night. The 1st knife was a ex army Sargent drunken having a flashback and I had both hands on his wrist and it took me 15 minutes or more to keep him from stabbing me. At that tome I had and was going to train in a kunfu and aikido dojo. It was hard because nothing I was training for helped me because I was training for a Fair ring type fight. Last time I got cut. Funny as hell. 3 different surgeries so bad they never used stitches either time. So I'm in my mid 30s and I piss off a woman high on meth and she stabs me with a knife "tried to". I didn't have time to move, deflect, or guard so I grabbed the blade because I couldn't control what my body damage would be other than I know my organs are not in my hands. Thank you Mike because you really have good lessons but my biggest lesson in dealing with it is preventing it in the 1st place. By the way I can't remember his name something Larkins but he pulled a revolver on me and grabbing the slide don't work. YOU ARE GREAT ICY. THANKS

[@BoodskiBro]

Mike D is so chill he's scary

[@geromeegans]

I was really skeptical at 1st but it made sense