Champ Gabriel Varga Explains His KO Liver Hook - Fighter Technique Breakdown |

Gabriel Varga is a 6 time champion kick boxer and currently holds the Bellator Featherweight Belt. In this video he breaks down how he throws his most dangerous strike, his lead body hook. Everything is covered, from correct form, set ups, combinations and defense.
Gabriel's Social Media: @GabrielVargaOfficial
Gabriel's KZbin: ‪@GabrielVargaOfficial‬

[@TheModernMartialArtist]

Big thanks to Gabriel Varga for coming on the channel and showing a few of his trade secrets. He's a really fun, humble guy with an easy to understand teaching style. Everyone should check out his channel, it has a lot of great info! kzbin.info/door/TlMUs5IIlBZQGkYMScUFyQ

[@randomperson-cq6lb]

I loveur videos i am noobie boxer

[@GabrielVargaOfficial]

Thanks so much for having me on the channel. 🙏

[@randeldavisredforestchines7752]

Good stuff there thanks crew!!!

[@Ptrck]

@@GabrielVargaOfficial excellent collab!!!!

[@theblameboxing]

Crawford breakdown long overdue gotta breakdown how he punches in between punches

[@GabrielVargaOfficial]

BODY BODY😈 I love getting after the liver. Practice your body shots! They can change your fight game.

[@Namesi]

You're so well spoken! You've got a long career in coaching after you choose to hang up the gloves - thanks for all the advice! Cheers!

[@HumbleCrow27]

@@Namesi Seriously.

[@ddavis7338]

Thanks this is awesome coming from an elite pro.

[@t.m.t3215]

Thanks champ !

[@MatthewAndReagan]

Hey, thanks for the trick, and taking time out of your day to show us. I’ll try and give my sparring partner a hard time with it

[@polaris30000]

The way my coach explained it was throw a hook like you are a 14 year old girl slamming her bedroom door after an argument with her mom.

[@ndyoyo1905]

Wdym

[@DV-cn7vb]

Accurate

[@chefxhyrule242]

NDYoYo picture it

[@Marc-zi4vg]

So snap your body back at the last moment so the full inertia of your body is on your fists?

[@DubbNot]

So every time I throw a hook, I yell “F-k you, mom!!!” then wait for my opponent to fall asleep before I sneak out and hop into my boyfriend’s van?

[@kylena7533]

Gabriel has the hardest body hook I have ever had the misery of experiencing.

[@interestingusername1049]

you fought Gabriel Varga?!?!?!

[@Estebanmdp100]

@@interestingusername1049maybe sparred but hey that looks killer even at half strength

[@MintStiles]

I've seen some of these guys fight. I think he is one of the top technical fighter/thinker when it comes to kickboxing. Very surprised that he isn't much much more famous.

[@shmookins]

My liver hurt just watching this. I was nervous the whole time as your technique is smooth, clean and fast. Scary.

[@crazymacedonianboi]

and easier to land that then a head shot. I like it too especially being heavy handed for 160

[@crazymacedonianboi]

I’m not experienced enough to land a heavy shot on someone really skilled tho

[@PcCAvioN]

The movement is so textbook the dude looks looks a video game

[@ariondarkrose]

Right!!!

[@cehinton]

This is some outstanding instruction and demonstration. Really like that Buakaw shuffle at the end. I'm gonna add that into my "combo list".

[@jayceoregan6847]

"Like a flamingo" best fighting analogy I've ever heard

[@timephire]

Keep up all this great work y'all have been doing!

[@pismoman1]

Beautiful left hook. I assume Inoue uses very effectively as well. Thank you for the very good video as usual!

[@slashdude1855]

Great video! Very helpful I hope to see more videos like this in the future.

[@dantetejeda1868]

I love how the punches just flow. Great video

[@fuyu5979]

Terrific strategies n info. Thanks for video. Very useful !

[@daddyboy1814]

Thank! I enjoy this breakdown.

[@harshpandya5041]

Superb technique. Loved it. Thanks

[@psychologicalsigma9917]

Great mechanics breakdown

[@rationalmuscle]

Fantastic video. Thank you!

[@ThaiPham-go6jc]

Very nice and useful technique thx for uploading, going to be useful for my arsenal

[@davidcalimag8992]

Pure gold. Amazing fighter and coach!

[@armaankhokhar7651]

This is such great content id love to see more videos specifically on training. But in general all your videos are great!

[@binjozoken6055]

I absolutely love these videos. Thanks. :D

[@TheClinchMagazine]

He looks like he is floating.

[@GabrielVargaOfficial]

Haha. I wish I could. Then maybe I could give Lomachenko a run for his money in regards to movement.😅

[@TheClinchMagazine]

@@GabrielVargaOfficial I watch MMA and kickboxing fights, but I have never seen someone so light on their foot like you are. You look like you are weightless.

[@beetlejews]

Very thorough, love it

[@nathanbarnhart7823]

Imagine being my size or larger (220+) and thinking you could take this skinny guy in a bar fight! Used to hang with bodybuilders who thought they could.

[@carlinlentz6849]

Always amazing content

[@eugenechadwell8557]

great stuff from Gabriel Varga! muchos kudos

[@KahawaiKilla]

Love watching technique videos and practicing on the bag because my fight gym only has 2 sessions for beginners thank you so much for the breakdown

[@majesticbob884]

You dropping gems in this video

[@themartialartist1929]

Beautiful movement perfection

[@charlesdourado8292]

His boxing is so sharp man, it's just on point

[@duchi882]

*Very Impressive* but can he defeat his opponents using the Death Stare

[@GabrielVargaOfficial]

Only if I can break them down with smiles first.😀

[@__azzzul__]

Wow didn’t know you had this video Gabriel is 🔥

[@fizziz_1035]

amazing vid!

[@nikolaizetrov617]

Yes! Yes! Yes! The sweet science of martial arts.

[@MrSnejinko]

sick video !

[@barahmeh4153]

Bro plz make a vid about my fav boxer evander hoylfield. Quality vid as always tho :D

[@joseantoniosanz9045]

Thank you very much. Excelent video and superb explaining. You are an awesome fighter and a top-class teacher

[@GabrielVargaOfficial]

Thanks Jose.🙏

[@tomshannon6695]

Thanks Gabriel also David great tutorial

[@jamalashley652]

That's very impressive 👍👍👍

[@commonsense5401]

Great coaching from Gabriel. His channel is excellent.

[@GabrielVargaOfficial]

Thank you!

[@ZENIGMATV]

I’ve had to tweak my combos a bit for being south paw. Another great video.

[@rodneywashington2017]

AWESOME🥊🥊💪🏾💪🏾

[@johnwhitedud8024]

I like that it is a kickboxer talking abovt this punch

[@BoxingModernClassics]

i love every detailas

[@andrewpye7459]

What a great video

[@zmo1ndone502]

This is brilliant. Just world class stuff. N it's all fairly simple, the methodology of why these combos open up the body/liver left hook shot. It's not rocket science. That shuffle at the end is a bit tricky but the rest is fairly simple. That's what the greats do is become really really good at doing simple yet effective techniques. Beautiful Martial Artwork

[@paulpelle3046]

Sir, your videos and explanations are absolutely spot-on perfect, absolutely concise (perfect length tbh) yet full of complete gold-dust information complete with effortless and amazing technique man. Absolutely incredible. 🙏 I would probably describe myself as intermediate to high intermediate Gabriel, but my heart is of a lion sir. Touchgloves gym in Cornwall. Big shoutouts to ALL the amazing Kitchens...especially the legend Nathan, Julie, Allaya, Amber and everyone at our wonderful family. Long story short Mr. Varga? Wow. Thank you man. Despite training at a fantastic gym with fantastic and talented people...I still learn so much from your videos,,,completely legit with zero ego and just the truth. And your movement? Dayyyyum son! Beautiful. Optimum energy expenditure with virtually PERFECT repeatability of each move/parry/slip. 💪👌👏 One question please? Why no Muay Thai sir? You’d be absolutely unstoppable bro. 100% 😲🙏🙏

[@centpushups]

Good this came out just in time. Im about to fight my school yard bully tomorrow.

[@youfoundmeo7537]

How Was it

[@adam-kq4jc]

centpushups how’d it go

[@thrillho4849]

@@adam-kq4jc he's dead

[@phaikia13]

Umm... How was it?

[@Hattori]

Didn’t go that well I guess

[@dorjedriftwood2731]

I was always taught to square your feet turning your toes in, at all times. Rear foot inlign with target front foot crossed. I personally feel turning the foot as I punch much slower and less telegraphed. I guess you can faint by turning the foot but I like the square stance for stability and mobility. And it doesn’t hinder my kicks nearly as much as you think it would.

[@rockitscience7585]

Nice one! I've always been a great fan of the liver hook, probably the best self-defense punch ever (keeping your hands intact and unbroken, lol). Maybe try doing one on the sneaky right cross to the liver that Inoue does and Foreman sometimes did? It's hellacious if done correctly. :D

[@DannySapko]

Great channel! Could you do Nigel Benn vs Chris Eubank 1?

[@-Kailinn-]

You can feel the power through the video

[@mieshatatesfartbox7155]

Wow, you could easily make five or more whole lessons out of the information from this excellent video

[@jimnoexist]

Save this for my boxing playlist lol

[@honigdachs.]

Very fast hands this guy.

[@AK-VII]

🔥🔥🔥

[@SilverionX]

I really need to check back on Varga's channel. It's been a minute.

[@benjaminshields9421]

Shooting for the liver is the best

[@Tre_Ason_Number7]

Word

[@Wildledroses]

Dam. This guy is good, didn't know about him until today

[@GabrielVargaOfficial]

Thanks. Kickboxers don't get as much recognition in North America. It's too bad the sport hasn't grown bigger. But I still love it.

[@sercio6428]

@@GabrielVargaOfficial I've wanted to get into watching kickboxing for awhile but it's harder to find good fights. Is there a fight of yours you'd recommend.

[@GabrielVargaOfficial]

@@sercio6428 Mosab Amrani and I put on a great fight. I wish I could show you my Bellator fights but they keep those locked up for T.V reruns.

[@sercio6428]

@@GabrielVargaOfficial You weren't kidding, that was a fantastic fight. I can definitely see why you're qualified to showcase how to land a left hook to the body. Your left hook is amazing.

[@GabrielVargaOfficial]

@@sercio6428 It sure was. Amrani is action packed and I like a fast pace so that equals great match up. Amrani has a great body hook too. He dropped a couple guys in GLORY before I fought him.

[@obeezytex5466]

I love body shots

[@senoozyxd823]

damn he's fast

[@thatguy-ij4in]

Please do Tyson vs Tucker break down

[@anthonybutt5988]

Deceptively lethal. Excellent breakdown. 👍🙏

[@yungmxrg8249]

Tha buakaw shuffle though!

[@kervinsingh6213]

First i saw him in FightTips channel now i see him here, he is going on a road trip bois....

[@bdpchamp]

Taking into consideration Tim Bradley’s latest comments, Terrence Crawford’s own call out of Floyd, and the varying reactions from the boxing community in response, would you consider doing a comprehensive breakdown of how you think a Floyd vs Crawford fight would go down, how their styles would clash etc. We’re talking a 2006-2013 Floyd when he was competing at 147 and dominating

[@jarrettbegley3727]

Can you do a video on Korean Super Boy

[@marquisechapman1391]

Please do a nicolino loc he defense video!!

[@jeroenwesseling9316]

Try the shot as a counter against right hook to the head

[@nestorarcilaosorio2457]

What about a video of Ricardo "Finito" Lopez ?

[@andrewtanczyk4009]

Gabriel says you get power from pivoting and hip turning. However what about weight transfer? He neglects weight transfer where all your power should come from. Hips help with speed yet weight is what takes your opponent out.

[@davidc9815]

Question about different video, is George foremen grappling/pushing hand away technique still allowed in boxing

[@arawruiz9339]

Vid on josh Kelly’s style ?

[@dusandragovic09srb]

Great technique 7:04 fluidity = Quality ;) That's Aikido, for it is a principle, a concept not just specific techniques. It's all Human baby.

[@ninobrown9600]

Oss!

[@fabianpohl6146]

Okay i get the part with countering with a left body hook. But when I always Block with my „elbow“ My left body side is completely oben isn’t it?

[@TheModernMartialArtist]

Haha had to cut a bit of audio off, but Gabriel actually says "Yes your body is open but something is always open and you know exactly what to look out for." after that part. Every guard has openings, some fighters even use them to bait punches to counter.

[@GabrielVargaOfficial]

Yes. Just as mentioned by The Modern Martial Artist you are indeed open. You don't use this every time. You need to KNOW the attack is coming to the head. And that can be determined by a number of things. I wouldn't use this until the 2nd round of a fight when I know my opponent's style better and can read his attacks.

[@tokenstandpoint93]

Great video especially since my boxing coach current has me practicing the hook punch to be able to an up jab. But the techniques are also helpful in my Kyokushin sparring.

[@ravirishav3842]

Please make a video on Benny urquidez and Billy superfoot wallace

[@W1LDtracer]

Hayabusa kanpeki gloves is great btw

[@sebastianquintana5412]

2:48 varga is like a foot taller than rashid holy hell

[@Xcyper33]

Ruiz v Joshua 2 analysis WHEN?!!?!

[@zagulabiggs1072]

When you going to do a video on Badr Hari?

[@rolandotillit2867]

Your rear foot is always planted when you throw your lead hook.

[@TheClinchMagazine]

Hey man, have you watched Andy Ruiz vs Anthony Joshua 2 ?

[@TheModernMartialArtist]

I didn't bother after hearing about Ruiz's weight. Saw the highlights.

[@NikeSoccerTennis]

at 4:23 why is the guy on the background holding that position?

[@GabrielVargaOfficial]

🤔I think he is working on his karate style kicks. That kind of drilling can be effective to increase your range of motion in your hips and ability to kick high.

[@dashtuso4397]

I find most my weight on my back foot when throwing left hook .. hmmm

[@piggypoo]

yo that gym has a bank vault lol

[@youngbreadwinner2780]

wow shout out to gabriel varga really dropping knowledge

[@dma1176]

Canelo Alvarez break down plzzz😫😫

[@symbbb]

Sup

[@MrTigracho]

Why does he sound like kermit?

[@thefatmexican_]

Bro make a app that breaks fighters techniques down but use GIFs and text to explain rather than using vids

[@johnwhitedud8024]

Yeah i said thats canelo alvarez and he say it 👍👍😆

[@taahakhan2385]

Is he a muay Thai fighter

[@germanicusternus1982]

Weight shifts for power start in the lower body, not in the shoulders. All you are doing with the cross is shifting the hips, which is the basis of all power in striking. Loading the front foot maximizes the amount of force that can be shifted through the hips and into the shoulders.

[@andrewtanczyk4009]

Gabriel neglects the weight transfer.

[@NgangaBesa2]

C 1:00

[@willanderson1983]

I've hit someone with this in a street fight. Much more effective and higher % than face shot

[@germanicusternus1982]

I don’t think you maximize your power biomechanically. Loading the front foot and exploding up into the rotation would do this. You condemned the technique and demonstrated it incorrectly. There are trade offs to every variation of every strike. But to say that one technique is incorrect when you don’t do it correctly is just limiting yourself and those who listen to you.

[@IllidanSturmgrimmDeusVult]

Thanks youtube commenter for giving a world champion some tips on his technique