Last updated: May 25, 2026
Quick Definition
A wheel kick is a spinning strike in which a fighter pivots on the lead foot, swings the rear leg through a wide 360-degree arc with the leg kept straight, and lands the heel on the opponent, usually targeting the head.
What is a wheel kick?
The wheel kick belongs to the family of spinning kicks that came into MMA from taekwondo and karate. Its defining feature is the straight kicking leg, which travels a wide circular path as the fighter rotates a full 360 degrees on the lead foot before the heel connects with the target.
That long, extended leg is what gives the kick its power. The kicking leg is a long lever, and the body’s full rotational momentum gets channeled into the heel. That is why a clean wheel kick can knock a heavyweight unconscious before he hits the canvas.
In the broader MMA striking toolbox, the wheel kick sits alongside the spinning hook kick, spinning back kick, and spinning heel kick. All of these turn the kicker’s back to the opponent mid-strike. Each one trades safety for the chance at a fight-ending blow, and the wheel kick is the most committed of the group, because the straight leg cannot be retracted or chambered once the spin begins.
How the wheel kick works
The spin loads the kick from the moment a fighter starts the turn. The pivot foot rotates, the shoulders follow, the rear leg leaves the floor already straight, and the whole leg rises into a horizontal arc. Mid-spin, the kicker looks over the shoulder to sight the target before the heel comes around.
What sets the wheel kick apart visually is the smoothness of the arc. There is no chamber, no snap at the end. The leg sweeps across the opponent like a baseball bat, and the heel hits with the combined weight of the spinning body behind it. Joe Rogan, who holds a black belt in taekwondo and has demonstrated the technique on heavy bags, has described the contact as landing the heel across the face.
Wheel kick vs. spinning hook kick
Even experienced commentators sometimes confuse these two, and the same kick gets labeled differently across MMA databases. The distinction comes down to what the leg is doing during the spin.
| Feature | Wheel kick | Spinning hook kick |
|---|---|---|
| Leg position | Straight throughout | Chambered (bent at knee), then snapped |
| Motion | Full arcing sweep | Spin into a hooking snap |
| Power source | Momentum from extended lever | Quick snap from knee extension |
| Range | Longer | Shorter |
| Telegraphing | Higher | Lower |
| Striking surface | Heel or back of foot | Heel |
This naming inconsistency shows up in real records. Tapology lists Edson Barboza’s UFC 142 KO of Terry Etim as a “Wheel Kick” but classifies Uriah Hall’s TUF 17 finish of Adam Cella as a “Spinning Hook Kick,” even though the two strikes look almost identical on video. Treat the labels as fuzzy and the mechanics as the real difference.
Types of wheel kicks
Most MMA wheel kicks fall into a few rough buckets:
- Standard wheel kick: thrown off the rear leg from a stationary stance, with the back to the opponent at the midpoint of the spin.
- Jumping or flying wheel kick: the same spin and arc, but the kicker leaves the ground during the rotation to add height or reach.
- Kyokushin wheel kick (kaiten geri): a different technique that shares the name. The kicker drops into a forward roll and strikes with the heel on the way through. Rare in MMA, but worth knowing because of the name overlap with the standard spinning version.
Why the wheel kick is rare in MMA
For all its highlight-reel power, the wheel kick is uncommon. Throwing one means turning the back, losing sight of the opponent for a fraction of a second, and committing fully to a strike that either lands clean or leaves the kicker exposed to counters and takedowns from a switched-on opponent.
Fighters who throw the wheel kick often have strong traditional kicking backgrounds in disciplines like taekwondo, karate, or San Shou. Edson Barboza, Cung Le, and Uriah Hall are the canonical UFC examples, with newer fighters like Mauricio Ruffy of Brazil’s Fighting Nerds camp adding spinning kicks to their toolkits. When the kick does land, it tends to come against opponents backing toward the cage with their hands low, often after a feint pulls the guard out of position. Ruffy’s KO of King Green at UFC 313 in March 2025 followed exactly this pattern, with a left-hook feint setting up the spin.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a wheel kick and a spinning hook kick?
The leg position. A wheel kick keeps the leg straight through a wide circular sweep, while a spinning hook kick chambers the knee and snaps the foot at the target. The wheel kick is more telegraphed but covers more range.
Is the wheel kick the same as a spinning heel kick?
Often, yes. Many traditional martial arts use “spinning heel kick” as another name for the same straight-legged spinning technique. Some taekwondo styles instead use the term for a chambered, hook-style version, which is part of why the labels get muddled.
Who landed the first wheel kick KO in UFC history?
Edson Barboza, against Terry Etim at UFC 142 on January 14, 2012. The kick finished Etim at the 2:02 mark of round three and was named UFC’s Knockout of the Year for 2012.
Is the wheel kick legal in MMA?
Yes. The wheel kick is a standard striking technique and is legal in every major MMA promotion. The Unified Rules of MMA only restrict kicks that target prohibited areas like the groin or the back of the head.
Why is it called a wheel kick?
Because the kicking leg traces a wide circle around the body during the spin, the way a spoke moves with a turning wheel. The name carried over from taekwondo and karate, where it described the same circular, stiff-legged arc.
Sources
- ESPN. “MMA and UFC glossary: Choke, slam, guard, clinch, hook, more.” Accessed May 2026.
- UFC. “KO of the Year 2012: Barboza vs. Etim.” Accessed May 2026.
- Tapology. “Edson Barboza vs. Terry Etim, UFC 142.” Accessed May 2026.
- Tapology. “Adam Cella vs. Uriah Hall, The Ultimate Fighter Season 17.” Accessed May 2026.
- CBS Sports. “UFC 313 results, highlights: Mauricio Ruffy scores stunning spinning back kick knockout of King Green.” March 9, 2025.
- Evolve MMA. “How To Use Spinning Techniques For MMA Effectively.” Accessed May 2026.
- Black Belt Wiki. “Kyokushin Wheel Kick.” Accessed May 2026.
- MixedMartialArts.com. “Joe Rogan displays precision and power with Wheel Kick.” Accessed May 2026.
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