Issue 142

June 2016

Absorb your opponent’s attack and spin them so you can strike with their back turned

Rafael Cordeiro

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

1 - Rafael throws a jab. Fernando avoids the strike by stepping to his right.

2 - With Rafael’s left side exposed, Fernando throws his right body kick.

3 - Rafael steps to his right and catches the kick in the crux of his elbow.

4 - Rafael throws Fernando’s leg aside to turn him away from the centerline.

5 - Rafael throws Fernando’s leg aside to turn him away from the centerline.

TOP TIPS

STUDENT

If you prefer to take your opponent down, trip them after you catch the leg.

KRU

To clear your leg from your opponent’s grasp, turn your knee towards the mat and kick down.

MASTER

If there was ever a time to throw a one-armed cartwheel kick, it’s after you’ve thrown your opponent’s leg aside. Muay Thai superstar Saenchai has claimed numerous knockouts with this move.