One of the most evolved and effective technique in a human being's arsenal is the ability to kick. In mixed martial arts, we see a consistent evolution of how human's attack, and they how they make their own body malleable enough to place the most deceptive of shots.
The Question Mark Kick actually has Brazilian roots, and it's methodology is more important than its creator.. because nobody ever truly knows who invented a 'movement' per say.
The kick is incredibly sneaky and is usually most effective once the opponent is patterned into movement.
If a fighter has clipped the opponent with a particular shot, or has landed the jab enough to control the evasive movement of the opponent, one can throw a more deceptive and lower percentage shot to try and land the 'kill blow'.
A few fighters have perfected the question mark kick in the UFC. Holly Holm and Luke Rockhold first come to mind as both have damaged many fighters with the kick to a serious extent, and Holly even managed to finished the durable veteran Bethe Correira with said technique.
I pictured Saenchai as the lead photo because he too has an impeccable question mark kick, but in muay thai is a bit easier to land at will due to the lack of wrestling worries in that arena. Regardless...
The setup to the body is usually what ends up leading to the knockout blow.
As they say, 'kill the body, and the head will follow'. When you keep kicking someone to the gut they will learn to defend, and once they are anticipating the body blow, a head attack will be most effective.
The kick itself is actually a few kicks in one. It starts with breaching the body with a push kick almost, and then turning the stable back foot into a pivot to get that shin from gut level to the opponent's head level. This transition is completely confusing as the initial motion looks as though the opponent is throwing a forward, low placed shot... but then they switch up to a high roundhouse to the head.
It is incredibly deceptive, and absolutely beautiful when done right. This will most likely be the first of many in my 'technique' series.
I have left a video below of Saenchai's beautiful kick, you notice the opponent doesn't immediately feel it as he was defending his body as the kick came up. These nuances really show you what is going on in between the ropes, and how a simple switch up in technique can cost the victory and cause heavy damage.
Have you seen this technique in motion? Do you think it is as effective and beautiful as I say?
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