Machida Karate-Do: Technique 7

Cross to Hook to Round Kick

Generally when fighting an experienced striker you won’t land with the first, second or sometimes even the third strike.  With this combo you show your opponent several different angles of attack.  Also if you aren’t flexible enough to deliver a good high kick without compromising your footing.  This combo also sets you up with a powerful body kick.

Lyoto Machida Karate Do: Technique 6

This combo is very simple and highly effective.  It is utilized from kicking range to close the distance and land a powerful overhand left to your opponent’s face.

You start the combo in orthodox stance.  Shifting your weight forward to your lead leg turn your hips as you throw a convincing straight right toward your opponents face.  Keep in mind this is thrown as a distraction and not meant to hit your opponent, so don’t reach and compromise your balance.  Also, make sure you throw toward the eyes to disrupt their vision.  After fully extending your right cross use your extended hand to compromise your opponents guard by grabbing his lead hand.

Machida Karate-Do Technique 5

Sweeping Kick to Cross to Flying Knee

If you've seen a Machida fight chances are you have witnessed him unleash his trademark knee to the body.  This is the same knee that folded Tito Ortiz when he fought him.  In this combo you will learn how to setup this strike.  I have found that you generate more power with this than the standard Muay Thai knee.

You start the combo in orthodox stance with your opponent in the same stance.  This combo is best setup in punching range so make sure you get your distance down.  Now that your in punching range lean your weight to your rear leg as you sweep kick your opponents calf.  You do this by using the ball of your foot to make contact with the calf with a forceful swing not a strike.  After you have compromised their balance you want to land your left foot on the outside of your opponents rear leg to gain a superior angle.  Then you push off of your rear leg, as you rotate your hips.  Allow the gathered momentum from your body weight to flow from you legs to you right cross, aimed at your opponent's face. 

Machida Karate-Do Technique 4

Inside Leg Kick to Spinning Back Kick
This technique starts from the orthodox stance with your opponent in the same stance.  Also, the lead leg inside kick is thrown directly from the stance.  Not as a switch kick like the Muay Thai version of the kick.  You do this by leaning your weight back on your rear leg as you lift your leg off the ground.  Then swing your leg around to kick your opponents inside leg.

Machida Karate-Do Book Review part 3

Stance

Side Step to Side Kick to Cross

The next technique I will break down is the Side Step to Side Kick to Cross.  This combo starts from the orthodox stance and with your opponent in the same stance.  The first move in this combo is the lateral movement to the left.  You do this by stepping to the outside of your opponents rear leg without moving forward.  You want to set this up as you would a rear leg round kick.

After you step to the outside of your opponents rear leg, bring your rear leg toward your chest.  Lean back slightly when you do this to keep your balance.  Now flex your toes as you launch your chambered leg toward your opponents mid section making contact with their abs with your heel.  

Machida Karate-Do Book Review part 2

Right leg front kick

Rear Front kick to Lunge-step Jab

The next technique I will cover is the Rear Front Kick to Lunge-step Jab.  This allows you to see the complexity of Lyoto's foot work and learn why he is a very elusive fighter.

This technique will start from the orthodox fighting stance (left foot forward) shown previously.  Next transfer your weight to your lead leg as you bring the heel of your right leg to your buttock.  Keep your shoulders square as you lift your right knee toward your chest.  While your knee is elevated extend your right leg toward your opponents midsection.  Remember to flex your toes and drive the ball of your foot into your opponent's abs.  Also, when extending your leg try to do this as fast as you can without compromising your balance so you don't conflict with the flow of the combo.

Machida Karate-Do Book review part 1

Right cross

Entering with Kicks Tech. 1

I will start my review with the striking attacks/entering with kicks portion.  At first Lyoto breaks down the strategy he has learned through countless hours of sparring and training.  You setup your power attacks with feints or strikes that you would use for distraction not for damage.  He likes to incorporate the High-Low method or Low-High method.  For example, if you enter with a body shot you could add a high kick after it.  Also, when you attack with a leg kick after that you could throw a straight right to the head. The most important thing to take away from this is the power of deception.  Lyoto does this so well, Luke Sky-walker would be impressed.  If your opponent catches on just remember to deceive them like you're a Jedi.  In the end the leg kick they check will distract them from the left hook they receive.