Some fighters win world titles with a single devastating shot. Miguel Trindade took a different approach, repeatedly hammering the same spot with Inside Low Kicks until his opponent’s leg could no longer take the punishment.
At GLORY 110 in Antwerp, Belgium, on October 17, 2026, Trindade beat Deniz Demirkapu for the vacant GLORY featherweight title. He knocked Demirkapu down three times in Round 3, and the referee stopped the fight at 1:23.
Nearly all of that damage came from one simple tool, thrown over and over.
The Fight: Miguel Trindade vs. Deniz Demirkapu
Video: GLORY Kickboxing on YouTube.
The belt was open because Petchpanomrung Kiatmoo9, the longtime champion, had retired. This was the first GLORY featherweight title fight without him in more than eight years.
Going into this fight, Trindade was 25 years old and the No. 1 ranked featherweight in GLORY. A world title had slipped away from him before. With this win, he became the first fighter from Portugal to win a GLORY title.
Demirkapu was ready for a fight, and he came forward hard in the first round.
Trindade stayed calm and changed his plan. Once he started using his legs, the whole fight turned.
How Trindade Set Up the Inside Low Kick
An Inside Low Kick is a Low Round Kick to the inside of the Lead Leg, above the knee. It is hard to see coming, and it is hard to stand on after a few clean ones.
Trindade made it work with a simple pattern:
- Punches first, to bring Demirkapu’s eyes and hands up
- An Inside Low Kick to the Lead Leg while he was thinking about the hands
- The same spot, again and again
Each kick on its own did not look like much. But every one landed on a leg that was already hurt.
By Round 3, the commentators could see Demirkapu grimace every time a kick landed. Then the knockdowns came.
Three Knockdowns in One Round
Under GLORY rules, three knockdowns in a round ends the fight. Trindade needed less than a minute and a half of Round 3 to get all three.
- Knockdown 1: Low kicks to the inside leg drop Demirkapu. He beats the count.
- Knockdown 2: Another Inside Low Kick sends him down again. He gets up, but he is moving badly.
- Knockdown 3: One more kick, and Demirkapu goes down a third time. Referee Jan Frana stops the fight at 1:23.
Why Low Kicks Win Fights
Low kicks are one of the oldest weapons in Muay Thai and kickboxing, and this fight shows why.
- They take away the base. A fighter who can’t stand on his Lead Leg can’t punch hard, kick back, or move well.
- The damage adds up. One kick stings. Ten kicks on the same spot can end a fight.
- Punches hide them. When your opponent is guarding his head, his legs are open.
Trindade did not chase the knockout, though. He picked away, stayed composed, and let the kicks do the work.
For another title fight won with kicks to the legs, read how Nong-O Gaiyanghadao used Muay Thai Round Kicks in ONE Championship.
The Lesson in Trindade’s Kicks
Trindade won the GLORY featherweight title with patience and one well-placed kick. He set up the Inside Low Kick with his hands and hit the same spot over and over. The damage built until Demirkapu couldn’t stand.
You can learn the same kick in private kickboxing lessons, one piece at a time. To learn the kick itself, read Muay Thai kicks taught by Saenchai. To put punches and kicks together, start with these kickboxing combinations for beginners.
If you’re in the Portland, Oregon area, reach out to me when you’re ready. Use the contact form on TrainWithSean.com.
