Issue 166

April 2018

Use your opponent’s evasive maneuvers to your advantage.

Rafael Cordeiro

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

1 - Rafel starts his combo with a jab, which Fernando slips by moving to his right.

2 - Fernando slips to the other side to avoid a cross, but this time Rafael anticipates it.

3 - Rafael throws a right kick. Fernando can absorb some of the damage with his hands and forearms.

4 - If Fernando is still standing, Rafael returns to a strong orthodox stance to follow-up.

5 - Rafael continues his combination with his hands by throwing a right uppercut to Fernando’s chin.

6 - Using maximum power on the final shot, Rafael turns his hips to whip a left hook at Fernando’s jaw.

TOP TIPS

FARANG

Don’t lean too much to the left to throw your kick, so you maintain balance and return to a good position afterward.

THAI

Take a step in to close the distance and get in range to throw the uppercut so you’re not reaching forward to land it.

KRU

React to, as well as anticipating, your opponents’ defense. Any of these shots could be a finishing blow, so don’t over or under-commit to them.