Front kick in MMA

[sensei8]

Possibly we're not seeing the front kick as often as one might imagine because of the high chance of one being tackled, and/or, the lack of confidence for ones own front kick.

[pittbullJudoka]

What I'd like to see mma fighters untilize is the front kick to the hip crease. As it is very effective at disruppting timing, foot work, and breaking the posture of your opponent.

And it sets up that knockout so nicely. This is my go to kicking target. I only weigh around 130 and this is how I beat guys twice my size.

I know what you mean there it's a favorite of mine as well.

[ShoriKid]

Watched a prelim fight on the latest UFC from this past weekend. At 155lbs, Daron Cruickshank put on a great display of kicking technique. It lacked a lot low line kicks to the legs as it typical. It did feature some brutal round kicks to the body that struck with the ball of the foot. Which Joe Rogan called front kicks. Several front kicks to the body with the same striking surface, a side kick or two to the body and to ice the cake, a spinning heel kick to the thigh. The finisher was a beautiful head high around kick with a nice clean chamber that cleared his opponents guard nicely. He apparently has a background in TKD and kickboxing and thus the very different approach to kicking.

[Kuma]

In Kyokushin we call it "mikazuki geri". It's a hybrid half front kick, half roundhouse kick. Good kick.

[sensei8]

However, Royce Gracie "threw" a lot of front kicks during his UFC days. I said "threw" because Royce's front kicks were for disruptive and closing the distance reasons, not any focused front kicks, not that I saw any.

[bushido_man96]

Watched a prelim fight on the latest UFC from this past weekend. At 155lbs, Daron Cruickshank put on a great display of kicking technique. It lacked a lot low line kicks to the legs as it typical. It did feature some brutal round kicks to the body that struck with the ball of the foot. Which Joe Rogan called front kicks. Several front kicks to the body with the same striking surface, a side kick or two to the body and to ice the cake, a spinning heel kick to the thigh. The finisher was a beautiful head high around kick with a nice clean chamber that cleared his opponents guard nicely. He apparently has a background in TKD and kickboxing and thus the very different approach to kicking.

Sounds like a fun fighter to watch! I'll have to dig up some clips.

[ShoriKid]

Very entertaining and well worth the hunt imo.

[barrypardue]

Powerful and with enough practice devastating!

[FullPotentialMA]

The front kick (Mae Geri in Japanese) is a very versatile, fast and powerful technique. It can be used not just for striking, but also for grappling (think about the retraction). In MMA, the more dangerous (and effective) applications of the front kick are prohibited, e.g., crushing the opponent's knee or ankle. Karate front kick are, in most styles, done with either the toe or the ball of the foot. In many Chinese martial arts styles / Kung Fu, the hitting surface is the heel. Each has its own purpose.

Practice and you shall be rewarded!

[guird]

I haven't seen any front snap kicks to the body, and only a handful of front head kicks. maybe it's because a good snap kick is tricky to execute on a moving opponent. you get the distance just wrong and you end up either uselessly extending your leg or weakly hitting your opponent with your toes.