Does kicking leave you open to a grappler?

Yes, kicking leaves a fighter open to takedowns. Just as in boxing when one throws a jab - they are vulnerable to the right cross counter, kicking leaves a fighter open to counters as well. Grappling adds in a new range of counters as most grapplers prefer to take a fight to the ground as soon as possible.

Ultimately, it depends on the opposing fighters' strategy. A seasoned wrestler or jiujutsuan is usually looking for opportunities to score a takedown - so any attempt at a kick would be seen as an opportunity to shoot for the leg or catch the kick and then transition into the takedown.

Most fighters with a striking background - usually Muay Thai or some MMA variation of Muay Thai will prefer to check leg kicks with their shin or block kicks to the upper body by blocking with their arms. Upon checking they prefer to counter with kicks of their own. Checking kicks in this fashion takes proper conditioning as real thai fighters condition their shins for years and when they kick - they hit with the force of a baseball bat. Try blocking a baseball bat swing into your shin and you can see the dangers implied.

Catching a kick takes proper timing as there is a certain extension range where a kick carries the most power. Intercepting it before full extension or catching it after can diffuse the power behind it. However - mistiming the kick can run one into a full power, potentially fight ending blow.

 

What he said. :good

 

1:34 Cung Le catches Frank Shamrock's push kick aka teep and performs a textbook foot sweep.

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Cung Le teaches one method for catching a rear round kick.

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0:30 Cung Le catches Sheely's low round kick and performs - you guessed it - a foot sweep. This whole video is pretty much a how-to on catching kicks and securing the takedown.

6:45 Cung Le catches a front kick and throws Sheely - hard.

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Here's an old school grappler vs striker match as Royce Gracie sizes up kung fu fighter Jason Delucia. Gracie keeps his range as Delucia kicks. Royce waitis for Jason to over commit so he can shoot in for the clinch and take the fight to the ground where he is in control.

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0:40 Funaki catches Maurice Smith's round kick to the body and goes for a single leg takedown. Smith grabs the ropes to avoid being taken down.

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Conversely - kicks can be used to keep an opponent at bay - just like a left jab in boxing.

3:00 Marco Ruas uses leg kicks to keep Paul Varleans at bay. Ruas literally chops at Varleans' legs until the big man crumbles.

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Maurice Smith used the same kick and move strategy to chop Brazilian jiujutsu black belt, Conan Silviera, down to size - but sealed the deal by switching off with a high kick to the head for the first and only time in the fight. I'm sorry for the poor quality and brevity of this clip but it is the only one I can find of this fight.

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Le is so exciting to watch, its a pity he isn't serious about mma and a little younger.

 

I agree. I'm pretty disappointed that Cung has been making movies for the past year. Whenever he makes a return to MMA - he will be rusty. It's always the kiss of death for a fighter to make a movie then go back to fighting.

 

Dan Evensen vs. Pat Barry at UFC 92 shows the power of a good leg kick.
http://www.mma-core.com/videos/_Dan_Evensen_vs__Pat_Barry_UFC_92?vid=10002616&tid=100