Why aren't more TKD style kicks used in the ufc?

[The Fonz]

I understand that mid-level front and side kick's have fairly easily defenses, but in the UFCs I have seen, no one has ever gone for a kick to the face of their opponent.

 

Considering that such an attack should turn the fight drastically in your favor, I am confused that I have never even seen a fighter attempt it in the 5 or so UFCs that I have watched.

 

I'm trying to pick a few styles to learn right now, this question puzzled me because of the power of kicks.

[ZakariRu]

Ive seen Gracie do it? (UFC 3) and Frank Shamrock do it.

 

There have been a couple.

[G95champ]

Just a few reasons

 

1. The chance of a KO is good but you also leave yourself in a bad place. If you miss you will be taken down. Usually very hard and thats a risk not many are willing to take.

 

2. Because of the nature of the UFC it favors grapplers. Rules like you can't kick the down opponent make it difficult for ture strikers to enter it. If you watch Pride or K1 you see much more kicking.

 

3. TKD kicks are for points not power. TKD was started as a sport not for self defense or combat. Thus many of their kicks are just that they are fast and land but do little dammage. Thats why you see more the MT or low karate style kicks used.

 

4. Those in the UFC are grapplers more so than strikers. Gracie, Shamrock, Couture, Frye, even Belfore and Ortiz are grapplers first always. They are the best in the world at it and not many strickers much less kickers want to try and beat them at their own game. They would rather fight in the K1 or Pride where they are the top dog.

[Ted T.]

I know of two light weight Korean brothers, here in town, who took on three gold's gym heavies who were bullying them.

 

The first two were ko-ed by one kick from each brother and the third refised to engage. The guys suffered some damage, broken jaws etc but didn't sue or anything because they had been drinking and knew they were at fault.

 

BUT, if those brothers were to go into a ufc and try to take on the heavy weight guys with that trick, they'd be pounded into oblivion. Big difference with a pro.

 

AND, I dare say, if you told the gold's gym guys that in three months they would face a light weight Korean TKD guy in a ring, under ufc rules - I dare say that the outcome would have been different.

 

Sparring does not = a real fight.

[traz]

TKD was started as a sport not for self defense or combat.

 

I don't want to bring this thread off topic...but check your facts before saying such things. TKD didn't START as a sport, it has evolved into a sport.

 

As previously said, the risk outweighs the reward. Yes, they can knock their opponent out with a kick, but they can also chock/lock their opponent with less risk.

[mai tai]

a kick to the head is a high risk high gain manuver. i ussally dont throw it unless the othe guy begs for it

[TigerHeart]

It's simple no one going to do a jump flipping back summersualt kicks, land on the face, people are borrowing MT kicks much deadly and realistics

[tsdshep]

It is simple in tkd in my experice with the art. There kick are just not strong anuf and there also too looping. Which in the grapling faverd ufc thay would ground meat. But as g95champ said thay would do better in k1. Pride thay would get ate alive. For you ufc fans tkd has ben in it befor ufc 5-9 cant rember wich ones but cal worshem fought. hes supsed too bee like a 6th dagree blacbelt it tkd. He went like 1 5 i think. His first fight was very inpresive he stoped guy by knock out other 2 fights i seen him in he got taped out if i rember right.

[Oopgrub]

I'd like to see more kicks

[Mr. Mike]

it's just way too high risk. I wouldn't even attempt to kick the head unless they were on their way down, or on their knees but still coming after me.