Inside Michael Jackson’s secret martial arts training and Bruce Lee fascination

Michael Jackson was more than the King of Pop; he was also a trained martial artist with a deep admiration for Bruce Lee, according to his former bodyguard Matt Fiddes.

Fiddes, who met Jackson in 1998 after being introduced by television personality Uri Geller, has revealed that the late superstar held a black belt in karate and had trained in martial arts since childhood.

Jackson and his brothers, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon, and Jackie, reportedly began martial arts training at the insistence of their father, Joe Jackson, who wanted his sons to learn self-defense.

Speaking on the Stripping Off podcast, Fiddes, a Taekwondo expert who runs a global franchise of martial arts schools, said he was surprised by Jackson’s skill level.

“Michael was already a black belt,” Fiddes recalled. “Joseph Jackson made all the Jackson Five study martial arts. He wanted to proceed with his training to Second Dan. He was damn good.”

Fiddes added that Jackson’s martial arts background could even be seen in his choreography. “Look back at Michael Jackson’s dancing, he puts all the kicks, punches and blocks in his dancing. It’s all in there.”

According to Fiddes, Jackson was a devoted fan of Bruce Lee and studied his fighting philosophy, Jeet Kune Do.

“He was a Bruce Lee fanatic,” Fiddes said, noting that Jackson would repeatedly watch films such as Enter the Dragon, The Way of the Dragon and The Big Boss, memorizing every line. He also reportedly hoped to meet Lee’s daughter, Shannon 

Fiddes claimed Jackson admired cultural icons and studied them closely to understand their lasting relevance. 

Alongside Bruce Lee, he reportedly drew inspiration from performers like James Brown, Charlie Chaplin and Fred Astaire, incorporating elements of their artistry into his own performances.

“He studied the greats,” Fiddes said, adding that Jackson often read multiple non-fiction books each week in his pursuit of growth and reinvention.

Beyond martial arts, Fiddes also reflected on the pop legend’s personal struggles, claiming Jackson often trusted the wrong people.

“He was the creator of his own destiny but he was very bad at trusting the wrong people,” Fiddes said, alleging that the singer frequently changed managers and allowed new influences into his inner circle.

Jackson died in June 2009 at age 50 from acute propofol intoxication. His personal physician, Conrad Murray, was convicted of involuntary manslaughter in 2011.

Fiddes further alleged that Jackson’s reliance on medication stemmed in part from a 1984 accident while filming a Pepsi commercial at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, where the singer suffered burns to his scalp.