Issue 132
September 2015
Former Chute Boxe pioneer and now Kings MMA head coach Rafael Cordeiro teaches his adaptation of Muay Thai for MMA, with help from student and Strikeforce veteran Fernando Bettega. Here, Rafael demonstrates the knee from head and arm clinch.
1. Rafael (blue T-shirt) and Fernando are both clinched with a 50/50 head-and-arm grip.
2. Rafael changes his left hand position from Fernando’s right bicep to beneath his elbow.
3. Rafael uses this grip to elevate Fernando’s arm. Rafael simultaneously lowers his hips and steps to the outside of Fernando’s arm.
4. The right side of Fernando’s body is now exposed. Rafael has an ear-to-ear head position and grips his hands together behind Fernando’s head.
5. Rafael pops his hips back to create space for a knee.
6. Rafael throws a left knee to Fernando’s unprotected ribs.
