MMA 101 – Get Kicking With Alan Belcher
Having trained under world champions Manu Ntoh and Duke Roufus, it’s no surprise UFC middleweight Alan Belcher has some powerful kickboxing skills, which he has put to good use in 18 professional wins. In this month’s MMA 101, Alan makes his opponent (Helio Soneca) pay for his striking attempts with a series of rear leg-kick counters that are designed to assault Soneca’s body before landing the final head kick KO. In addition, Alan demonstrates a counter kick to the liver and an offensive push kick. While lead leg-kick counters are quicker to deliver, this MMA 101 focuses on rear leg kick counters that generate more power.
UPPER-BODY KICK
1. Alan is in a southpaw stance. Helio is in an orthodox stance.
2. Helio throws a left jab, which Alan parries to the inside with his lead right hand.
3. Alan rotates his hips in a whip-like motion and throws a rear left kick to Helio’s upper body. It’s not uncommon for this type of strike to break an opponent’s arm.
INSIDE-LEG KICK
1. Alan is in a southpaw stance. Helio is in an orthodox stance.
2. Helio throws a left jab, which Alan parries to the inside with his lead right hand.
3. Alan rotates his hips in a whip-like motion and throws a rear left kick to Helio’s inner thigh. Repeated blows will devastate an opponent’s mobility and ability to generate any power in his kicks and punches.
HEAD KICK
1. Alan is in a southpaw stance. Helio is in an orthodox stance.
2. Helio throws a left jab, which Alan parries to the inside with his lead right hand.
3. Instead of throwing an upper-body kick or an inside-leg kick (which Helio now expects), Alan rotates his hips in a whip-like motion and throws a head kick that lands shin-to-temple.
LIVER KICK
1. Alan is in a southpaw stance. Helio is in an orthodox stance.
2. Helio leads with a straight right hand.
3. Alan shifts his weight and slips the punch, while countering with a rear left kick to Helio’s unprotected midsection. This kick to the liver is a potential fight-ender.
PUSH KICK
1. Alan is in a southpaw stance. Helio is in an orthodox stance.
2. Instead of waiting for Helio to initiate, Alan throws a rear push kick by raising his left knee up the middle and extending his leg until the bottom of his foot strikes Helio’s solar plexus. The rear teep is an offensive strike that can knock the breath out of your opponent.
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