Dazzling Kicks Turning into a New MMA Craze

Posted on | May 20, 2011 | No Comments

By: Rich Bergeron

The kickboxing clip above features Evgenji Alekseev and Vadim Masljanka, and it shows that even at the lower levels of martial arts competition there is a trend toward jaw-dropping knockout kicks. Mixed Martial Arts Fighters are encouraged to put on a show to move up the ranks as it is. Already, striking is becoming way more popular in MMA circles than grappling, wrestling, and BJJ. From the Anthony Pettis “Showtime” kick off the cage fence to Anderson Silva’s front kick KO of Vitor Belfort to the Karate Kid Crane Kick by Lyoto Machida that retired Randy Couture, it seems like life imitating art with these movie quality kicks.

Though many of the best movie kicks take a ton of practice to perfect for the silver screen, in MMA fighters typically only get one take to achieve the perfect kick. That makes these highlight reel boots to the face even more impressive. There is no choreography, no staging, no chance for the director to yell “cut” and get another shot. It’s a clear sign that MMA is evolving rapidly and will someday make even the best action movies look lame in comparison.