Issue 147

November 2016

Open your opponent up for a devastating spinning back-elbow strike

Rafael Cordeiro

Head coach at Kings MMA in Huntington Beach, California, teaches you masterful Muay Thai with Fernando Bettega

1 Fernando throws a left hook at Rafael, but he blocks it by covering with his right arm.

2 Rafael counters by throwing his jab at Fernando, who slips it.

3 Rafael changes levels and fakes a takedown by touching Fernando.

4 Rafael sets up his power strike by stepping across with his left foot and rotating his hips clockwise.

5 Looking over his shoulder to make sure he’s accurate, Rafael throws his right elbow to Fernando’s head.

TOP TIPS

STUDENT

Elbows are shorter-range strikes, so you must throw them closer than you would a spinning back-fist.

KRU

Faking a takedown will likely lead your opponent to lower his stance and drop his hands, which is an opportune time to throw a head kick.

MASTER

Throw this strike when you break from the clinch against the cage to catch your opponent by surprise.

IN ACTION

This is one of Jon Jones’ signature techniques, which he used it to hurt Alexander Gustafsson in the fourth round of their classic fight at UFC 165.