Learn the "Katana Kick" that's almost impossible to block due to the tricky setup and angle.
In the world of mixed martial arts (MMA), striking techniques need to continuously evolve to gain an edge over opponents.
One such innovation is the "Katana Kick", a deceptive and nearly unblockable move demonstrated by UFC veteran Nordine Taleb.
By incorporating elements from multiple martial arts, including Muay Boran and Kung Fu, Taleb has acquired and developed many special elite-level striking techniques that maximize precision and unpredictability.
Nordine Taleb, who had 14 fights in the UFC and got famous for his fight against Erick Silva, has been our coach for the past 2 years and we have learned striking, wrestling and grappling from him.
Previously, we made a video with him about the Ancient Triangle System (very interesting) which you can watch below:
The Katana Kick: A Breakdown
The Katana Kick is not a standard roundhouse or a question mark kick. Instead, it employs subtle yet explosive movement and a sneaky setup to catch the opponent off guard.
The kick is executed during rotational movement body movement, creating a trajectory that is nearly impossible to block due to the unique angle of the kick.
1. Angular Movement for Maximum Effectiveness
Unlike conventional high kicks, the Katana Kick involves raising the knee while shifting the angle of the body inward. This motion enables the fighter to strike above the shoulder and jawline.
Compare this to the traditional headkick where the kick comes from below / from the side and is easy to block with your hands.
2. The Role of Deception in the Katana Kick
The success of this kick hinges on the setup. You want to circle the opponent and while you are going in opposite directions, you launch the kick so you will use the opponent's own force against him.
The power of the kick lies on the fact that it comes in a very unexpected situation and lands from a very unexpected angle.
Overcome Flexibility Limitations With The Katana Kick
Executing a high kick, especially one as dynamic as the Katana Kick, requires a good level of flexibility. But for many, performing a conventional head kick seems almost impossible.
The great thing about the katana kick is that with enough practice you may be able to master it even if you struggle with the conventional head kick.
In the katana kick, full body extension and rotation of the body compensates for flexibility restrictions, ensuring the kick reaches the intended target with force.
Nordine Taleb himself has a good level of flexibility but he doesn't have extreme flexibility as many other fighters do. In fact, he has always struggled with flexibility since he was a kid.
Why the "Katana Kick" and Unique Strikes Are So Effective
The kick takes inspiration from Andy Hug, the legendary Kyokushin karate fighter known for his unconventional kicks (especially the Ax kick). Growing up, we used to be huge fans of Andy Hug and watched countless of his fights in K1 as well!
By implementing gravity, momentum, and a deceptive setup, the Katana Kick can land with surprising force, making it one of the most difficult strikes to block in martial arts.
Whether you are a professional fighter or a martial artist, this technique can be an incredible addition to your arsenal. However, it's unlikely you will learn it immediately: there are many steps and progressions to master this kick.
You can gain a significant advantage in fighting if you have mastered unorthodox techniques such as this.
I must say that this is only one of the many unique techniques we have learned from Nordine Taleb. The man is a true martial artist and is a real encyclopedia of devastating techniques.
We are lucky to have found him. It's very rare to find this level coaches and masters in pure fighting. He has learned, trained with and coached the best guys of the modern day even many current or former UFC Champions such as Sean Strickland and Dricus Du Plessis.
We have even seen Nordine Taleb spar many current top level UFC fighters and he still has it — he could actually beat many of them even at nearly 45 years of age.
In the UFC, he wasn't the best marketer such as the likes of McGregor but if you learn more about him, he has a very unique and interesting story and background. Here's our podcast with him.
Stay strong.
