Flying Kick

Last updated: May 25, 2026

What is a flying kick?

A flying kick is any kicking technique thrown while the fighter has both feet off the floor. The defining feature is the airborne phase: the kick must connect, or at least travel toward the target, before either foot lands again. Most flying kicks begin with a forward step or short run that converts horizontal motion into added force.

The term is an umbrella rather than a single technique. Almost any standard kick (front, side, roundhouse, switch) can be thrown as a flying version, and the prefix simply tells the reader the fighter left the ground first. Wikipedia notes that a “jumping kick” technically lacks the running start and launches from a stationary position, though in casual MMA commentary, the two terms are used interchangeably.

In MMA, flying kicks are rare and almost always opportunistic. Fighters with taekwondo, karate, or kickboxing backgrounds use them to close distance and surprise an opponent rather than as a go-to weapon.

How a flying kick works

The power of a flying kick comes from forward horizontal momentum, not from how high the fighter jumps. A running or stepping approach builds speed, the non-kicking leg drives off the floor to launch the body, and the kicking leg fires at the apex of the jump. The shin or foot impacts the target before the fighter lands.

The kick itself is mechanically the same as its grounded version. A flying side kick uses the same blade-of-the-foot contact as a standing side kick; a flying roundhouse follows the same hip rotation. The jump adds reach and force but also removes the stable base, which is why timing and commitment matter so much.

Types of flying kicks in MMA

Several variations show up in MMA highlight reels and training rooms. Some are direct airborne versions of standard kicks; others are signature techniques tied to specific martial arts.

Type	Description
Flying side kick	An airborne version of the side kick, striking with the heel or blade of the foot. Often used to close distance against a retreating opponent.
Flying front kick	A jumping push or snap kick using the ball of the foot. Lyoto Machida used a jumping front kick to knock out Randy Couture at UFC 129.
Flying roundhouse	An airborne roundhouse striking with the shin or instep. Common in Muay Thai and kickboxing crossovers.
Jumping switch kick	A flying roundhouse where the fighter switches stance in mid-air to load the rear leg.
Showtime kick	A specific flying kick popularised by Anthony Pettis, who pushed off the cage wall to launch the strike at WEC 53 in 2010.

Flying knees, a closely related airborne strike, are sometimes grouped under the same family but are usually treated separately because the contact point is the knee rather than the foot or shin.

Flying kick vs flying knee

The two techniques are easy to confuse because both involve leaving the ground, but they behave differently inside an MMA cage. Flying knees are shorter and more reliable than flying kicks, and they account for far more MMA finishes. Flying kicks travel further and look more dramatic, but they rarely land cleanly.

Feature	Flying kick	Flying knee
Range	Long, closes significant distance	Short to medium
Setup	Usually needs a running or stepping start	Can launch from a standstill or clinch
Contact surface	Foot, shin, or instep	The point of the knee
Reliability in MMA	Low, easy to time, often missed	Higher, common finishing strike
Risk if missed	Caught leg, takedown, full extension exposed	Lower commitment, faster recovery

The structural reason for the gap is leg extension. A flying kick needs the leg fully extended to reach the target, which costs time and telegraphs the strike. A knee fires from a folded position and travels a shorter distance, making it harder to read and counter.

Why flying kicks are rare in MMA

Once a fighter leaves the ground, they cannot change direction or abort the strike. That commitment is the core problem. A grappler who reads the kick early can shoot under it for a takedown, or a counter-striker can simply step off the line and let the kick sail past. The opponent’s leg can also be caught, leaving the airborne fighter stuck on one leg when they land.

Wikipedia describes the efficiency of flying kicks in combat sports and self-defence as “highly debatable,” and most MMA coaches treat them as situational tools rather than core weapons. When a flying kick does land, though, the added momentum produces some of the most replayed moments in the sport.

Origins

Flying kicks come out of Asian martial arts, where the development and spread of these techniques is generally dated to roughly the 1930s to 1950s. Karate uses the term tobi geri, literally “jumping kick,” for the family. Taekwondo placed particular emphasis on jumping and flying kicks starting in the 1960s, and many taekwondo forms still feature airborne kicking as a core skill.

That heritage matters in MMA. Fighters who trained in taekwondo or traditional karate often bring flying kicks into the cage as part of their striking identity. Anthony Pettis, Lyoto Machida, and Stephen Thompson are recognisable examples of fighters who blend traditional aerial striking with modern MMA technique.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are flying kicks effective in MMA?

They are a low percentage. Fighters use them occasionally for surprise or to close distance, but the success rate is low, and the recovery risk is high. When they connect, the result can be highlight-reel material.

What is a flying kick called in karate and taekwondo?

In karate, the family is called tobi geri. In taekwondo, common terms include twi-myo chagi and dubaldangseong-chagi, depending on the specific variant.

Is the Showtime kick a flying kick?

Yes. At WEC 53 on December 16, 2010, Anthony Pettis ran up the side of the cage, pushed off the wall, and connected with a head kick on Benson Henderson while airborne. Wikipedia categorises it as a flying switch kick.

What is the difference between a flying kick and a jumping kick?

According to the Wikipedia “Kick” article, a flying kick involves a running start, while a jumping kick is launched from a stationary position. In MMA commentary, the two terms are usually used interchangeably.

Can you train flying kicks for MMA?

Yes. Most striking coaches teach them as supplementary techniques rather than core tools. They build coordination and distance management, with timing as the limiting factor in live sparring.

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Sources

1. Wikipedia. “Flying kick.” Accessed May 2026.
2. Wikipedia. “Kick.” Accessed May 2026.
3. Wikipedia. “List of Taekwondo techniques.” Accessed May 2026.
4. Wikipedia. “Anthony Pettis.” Accessed May 2026.
5. Bleacher Report. “Remembering WEC 53, Henderson vs. Pettis 1 and the ‘Showtime’ Kick.” Accessed May 2026.

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