Maksim Chmerkovskiy is doing some of his own verbal dance moves, walking back comments he made about his brother’s “Dancing with the Stars” partner, Alix Earle.

Maksim tells TMZ … his prior criticisms of the Alix not putting enough emotion into her initial performance this season, thereby hindering the couple’s performance, were premature … ’cause she kicked ass the next time out!

We got ‘DWTS’ icon on Thursday in Calabasas, California, where he hosted a party for his Tetya KAPA Napa Valley Vodka … and he shared thoughts on who has the best chance to win it all this season … spoiler — he thinks Alix and his brother Val have damn fine odds.

Maksim also talked to us about his trash-talking Corey Feldman … who was partnered with his sister-in-law Jenna Johnson … and the pro basically said it wasn’t anything personal.

Watch for yourself … MC says the point he was trying to make was it was going to be super tough for JJ since the ’80s actor has no dance experience … but assures it was not a personal slight at Corey … it’s just a matter of fact.