Just saw this mentioned in another thread. It isn't used very much, so you sort of think there must be a reason for it. But then kicks were generally thought to be ineffective int he early UFC's. Maybe more people will start to use this? Cung Le uses it alot. I tend to think some of those he was throwing against Shamrock would have seen him countered with a big right hand against a better striker though. And I wonder if a good wrestler would just eat these kicks and takedown a guy on one leg. So, advantages; its powerful, a good for keeping range and taking some of the wind out of opponents sails. Dis. adv. -- its hard to learn, needs a more side-one stance (like Le's) than most fighters use, not too difficult to see coming. I guess I'm a bit sceptical about it. But do you think it could or should be used more?
I am sceptical of it aswell. It seems to me to be more of a showboating move. Also it is slower than say a leg kick and as such is much easier to counter, either with punches or a takedown.
Well, considering Le is the only one to use it a lot and we haven't seen him against anyone really looking to take him down, I think the jury is still well out on this. I really think that if it were useful for Joe Shmoe mma guy it would have worked its way in already.
Just like anything in MMA its a very usefull tool. It's also a big part of the whole. If it is utilized as part of a gameplan against the right person it can be decisive. Forrest vs Rampage? Jardine vs Liddell?
The sidekick can be very effective because it is your closest attack to an oppenent. Bruce Lee has pointed this out many times. You can debate Lee's practical fighting knowledge all you want, but this one is easily proven. A lead side kick to the lower leading leg of an opponent is the closest attack possible. You can use this to set up something aggressive, or merely as an interruption. A side kick isn't telegraphed any more than a round kick. Cung Le has found success using it almost like a jab. Frank Shamrock is well above average as far as mma striking is concerned. Le had good success with his sidekick in his bout over Shamrock. As far as wrestlers with good takedown abilities are concerned, any mistimed kick could lead to trip to the mat.
I think its because Americans who make up the majority of MMA fighters don't play soccer or football, in Europe every kids tends to play footy and this gives them massive power, the Dutch fighters are a good example or great kickers.
That's probably the biggest disadvantage to the sidekick. It is comparatively easy to catch and take your opponent down.
I thought you meant why don't MMA fighters have a sidekick. like the Undertakers Paul Bearer for example.
Guy Mezger used the side kick a decade ago with a lot of success but you don't see as much of it outside of Le and Machida. Mir uses it some, basically only guys from traditional martial art backgrounds rather than Muay Thai which doesn't teach it much.
