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Steven Seagal is, as we know, a somewhat boyishly handsome action film star, plus statesman, reincarnated lama, musician, goji berry energy drink magnate, philanthropist, environmentalist, animal rights activist, producer, writer, guitarist, reserve deputy sheriff, humanitarian, 7th-dan black belt in Aikido, and featured talent in the award-winning documentary Sheep Impact. Seagal has held off on accepting an 8th-degree in Aikido, a testament to his remarkable character.
O’Sensei is affectionately known as “Fritão” among his Brazilian students like Anderson Silva and Lyoto Machida. In fact, the master is on record as saying he considers both Silva and Machida to be his sons. However, in regards to Seagal, the hardcore MMA fanbase has a single question, in unison – did Gene Lebell really make you poop your pants? However, that’s another story. Let’s return to Fritão’s sons from a Brazilian mother.
I am teaching Anderson Silva, Lyoto Machida,” said Seagal on Jimmy Kimmel Live, as transcribed by BJPenn.com. “I show them, you know, a lot. Not everything I know, but I show them punches and what we call Ashi Sabaki, which means how you move with your feet, how you enter, hand angle, joints, but mostly I’m teaching them kicks and punches. There is a signature kick that I’ve taught them that they’ve knocked champions out with and won world championships with.
The signature kick he is referencing is called a “front” kick.
Did Steven Seagal Teach Anderson Silva and Lyoto Machida?
The idea that an Aikido adept, whose body resembles an oversized thumb, taught two kicking masters, one from Muay Thai and one from karate, is on its face preposterous. It’s the kick that every child learns in their first karate class.
However, in an interview on the Beauty and Da Beast podcast with Joey F@$%ing Karate, Silva and Machida’s manager Ed Soares said that something real was going on.
“People can say what they want about Steven Segal,” said Soares. “He understands fighting man. He does understand fighting.
“People always ask ‘is that all really true?’ Let me tell you something, I’m not going to tell you that Steven Segal taught Anderson Silva or taught Lyoto how to do that kick. But I can definitely tell you that Steven Segal – I saw with my own two eyes – I walked back into the Blackhouse and saw Steven Segal telling Anderson to make adjustments … I remember him saying ‘make your knee go up high, because if you make your knee go up high the guy is not going to see your foot come’ – and that’s exactly what he did.”
“So did he teach him that? No. Did he perfect it? Maybe he just reminded him that it could work. I don’t know what he did, but he did something. Because I personally saw him doing that kick, and I personally saw him work Lyoto with that kick.”
However, there has always been a small circle of nonbelievers.
According to their theory, both Silva and Machida are dedicated and humble martial artists, and thus they were respectful when the highly-ranked Seagal, a man old enough to be their father, showed up to teach. The theory goes though that Seagal was in fact not teaching them anything useful, and that the fighters were not actually taking the retired CIA contract employee seriously. Some even say that the resulting press was useful for all parties involved. Even more cynical speculation was that ‘The Spider’ and ‘The Dragon’ would like to someday be in the movies too, and Seagal could somehow foster that.
Then a video surfaced in Brazil that appears to shed some light on the controversy.
A Black House teammate of Silva’s pretends to be Seagal, and says, “Anderson, I find a punch for you to do in the fight.” The Aikido Hadouken strike is then demonstrated to general amusement, most notably that of Silva.
It can’t be true, but it appears as if the fighters are actually laughing at O’Sensei!!?!
Children can be so silly.
Adults can be silly too. Some Aikido enthusiasts continue to argue that Seagal taught the middleweight GOAT. Silva addressed that directly. Silva was asked directly by Whoa! TV how important Seagal was in his camp.
“Steven Segal is good man, no coach, no train me. But he is a good man, is a good person, that’s it.”
Silva was asked about the front kick.
“Seagal showed me this movement, this little movement, but no teach me this kick,” replied Silva. “I’m working hard for this kick for a long time in my life.”
So that’s the truth about Steven Seagal teaching Anderson Silva.
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