05/17/2023
In the main event of XFC International 3 in SĂŁo Paulo, Brazil, Luis "Sapo" Santos squared off with Alfredo Morales. At 1:34 of Round 3 Sapo drove a front snap kick right up the middle, and Morales dropped like a stone.
The front snap kick is the first kick taught in most karate schools. However, in the first decade and a half of mixed martial arts, the kick was widely believed to be of no notable importance. However, in 2011 Anderson Silva landed one on Vitor Belfort to devastating effect, and months later Lyoto Machida landed a Karate Kid-style Crane jumping front kick on Randy Couture. When UFC president Dana White went to speak with Couture, a tooth fell out. Karate (and the front snap kick) were back.
It must be said that Sapo needed no inspiration to use the kick - he knew it his entire life. After fighting from 2000-2019, he currently coaches at American Top Team headquarters in Coconut Creek, Florida, USA, and is married to fellow fighter Carina Damm.
Please note, the front push kick remained in use from the beginning of MMA, and before for generations of Vale Tudo in Brazil, and since time immemorial in Muay Thai, among other combat sports.
Content re-published with permission from the copyright holder.
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