The Most Brutal Sport On Earth

Combat followers are effectively acquainted with the artwork of eight limbs, generally known as Muay Thai. However many people are nonetheless discovering one other extra brutal type of kickboxing generally known as Lethwei.

Let’s dive in and go over the historical past of essentially the most brutal sport on Earth, generally known as Lethwei. Going over its historical past, format, and the way it compares to the artwork of Muay Thai.

What’s Lethwei?

Lethwei, or Burmese bare-knuckle boxing because it’s additionally referred to as, is a martial artwork and sport created within the nation of Myanmar. From a look, Burmese bare-knuckle boxing seems to be slightly just like the extra common sport of Muay Thai.

The massive variations are that no gloves are worn in Lethwei, and headbutts are permitted and inspired. Making it probably the most brutal sports activities on the planet.

The Historical past of Lethwei 

The historical past of Lethwei will be dated again to the Pyu Empire that dominated Myanmar for hundreds of years—courting again between the 2nd and eleventh centuries.

It was created across the similar time as different identified hanging arts developed inside southern Asia, like Muay Thai. Some historians even consider that Lethwei predates Muay Thai and will have even performed a task in its growth.

Equally to Muay Thai, the artwork of Lethwei was developed for conflict and as a approach for the traditional troopers to defend themselves. As time went on, the martial artwork would additionally develop right into a pleasant sport that will be held at particular festivals.

The Improvement of Fashionable Lethwei

For hundreds of years, Lethwei was solely practiced by the Burmese individuals. Probably the primary identified fashionable Lethwei practitioner was Kyar Ba Nyein.

A Burmese Naked-Knuckle practitioner that competed in boxing on the 1952 Olympics. After Nyein returned from the Olympics, he started modernizing Lethwei.

Implementing guidelines and rules for the game. Additionally, introducing the boxing ring, the place all matches could be held as a substitute of a sand pit. Just like how Muay Thai was modernized.

However Nyein would maintain near the roots of Lethwei and maintain bouts with out gloves.

The World Introduction of Lethwei

Regardless of Lethwei being centuries outdated, the world is simply turning into conscious of the game. Folks have turn out to be conscious of this brutal sport from one or two avenues.

Both from the Netflix documentary FIGHTWORLD hosted by Frank Grillo that featured Lethwei or David Leduc.

David Leduc, after all, is the Canadian born Lethwei fighter that turned the game’s #1 fighter. Additionally, the game’s prime ambassador, who instructed his loopy story on the Joe Rogan Podcast.

The Format of a Lethwei Match 

Lethwei matches have a really particular format that they go by. Right here is the format of a Lethwei guidelines kickboxing match detailed beneath.

• Combat Areas: Like with Muay Thai, Lethwei bouts are additionally held inside a boxing ring. Historically, they had been held in sand pits, however Lethwei has turn out to be extra modernized within the final century.
• Time/Rounds: A Lethwei match consists of 5 rounds which can be 3 minutes every. Between rounds, there’s a 2-minute relaxation interval.
• Scoring System: There is no such thing as a scoring system in Lethwei. The one strategy to win is by KO, and if there’s no knockout after 5 rounds, the struggle is a draw.
• Permitted Strikes: Fighters are permitted to make use of punches, elbows, kicks, knees, throws, and naturally, headbutts.
• 2-Minute Restoration Interval: If a knockout happens earlier than the fifth spherical, the fighter can take a 2-minute restoration interval. On this interval, if the fighter is ready to get well, they will select to proceed preventing.
• Combating Apparel: Fighters don’t put on hand safety and are solely allowed to put on kickboxing shorts.

Lethwei vs. Muay Thai

The hanging arts of Lethwei have a variety of similarities, however in addition they have drastic variations from each other. Try the similarities and variations between Lethwei and Muay Thai.

The Similarities 

• Hanging Arts: Each Muay Thai and Lethwei are hanging martial arts, the place punches, kicks, knees, and throws are used.
• Nationwide Sports activities: These martial arts are each the nationwide sports activities of their nation of origin. Muay Thai is the nationwide sport of Thailand, and Lethwei is Myanmar’s nationwide sport.
• Combat Rounds: In these types of kickboxing, rounds in each types include 5/3 minute rounds.
• Combat Areas: Each a Lethwei and Muay bout happen in a boxing ring.
• Effectiveness: These hanging martial arts are each confirmed efficient types of self-defense.

The Variations

• Headbutts: Probably the most notable distinction between the 2 hanging types is that headbutts are permitted in Lethwei. No headbutts are permitted in Muay Thai.
• Gloves/No Gloves: In a Lethwei bout, fighters don’t put on boxing gloves. Some types of 
• Scoring System: Muay Thai makes use of the 10-point system, and Lethwei doesn’t use a scoring system.
• Methods To Win: In Muay Thai, you possibly can win by KO/TKO and determination. The one strategy to win a bout in Lethwei is by KO.

Well-known Lethwei Fighters 

Fashionable Lethwei remains to be being launched to the world, however followers have turn out to be conscious of a few of Lethwei’s greatest fighters. Listed below are among the greatest Lethwei fighters on the earth.

Thway Thit Win Hlaing

Thway Thit Win Hlaing is the present nationwide champion and successor to legendary fighter Tun Tun Min. Hlaing was the winner of the Golden Belt in 2016 and 2018. He’s at the moment scheduled to struggle Soe Lin Oo at an unspecified future date.

Antonio Faria

Nicknamed “the knockout king,” Faria is the present World Lethwei League Mild Welterweight Champion. The Portuguese native is understood for his spectacular footwork, pace, and timing. Delivering spectacular knockouts, as you possibly can see in his spotlight video.

Sasha Moisa

Sasha Moisa is the present WLC Mild Middleweight Champion. The Ukranian’s struggle with Arthur Saladiak, posted above, is taken into account among the best fashionable Lethwei bouts ever.

Too Too

Too Too is taken into account a nationwide hero in Myanmar and the nation’s champion. He’s the Pele of Myanmar and can’t go anyplace in his nation and not using a legion of safety.

David Leduc

David Leduc is little doubt the rationale for the introduction of Lethwei to the remainder of the world. He was capable of take the game globally and gave it the possibility to be the following massive fight sport. For this, Leduc is revered on the earth of Lethwei.

Is Lethwei The Subsequent Huge Fight Sport?

Lethwei has the potential to be the following massive fight sport. It’s an thrilling and intensely brutal sport that isn’t for the faint of coronary heart.

The brutality of the game may make some struggle followers hesitant to observe a Lethwei occasion. One different factor that has been holding the game again is its nation of origin.

Traditionally, Myanmar has endured prolonged durations of navy rule and authoritarian governments. These totalitarian governments have saved the nation from sharing its tradition with the world.

Lethwei is considered one of these elements of their tradition that the remainder of the world had no concept existed. If Myanmar turns into a extra open nation sooner or later, it may imply that Lethwei will have the ability to develop.

The 2021 Spring Revolution

As talked about above, Myanmar’s fixed state of political upheaval is at one other excessive level. In 2021, the Spring Revolution occurred, the place navy commander Min Aung Hlaing took over the nation.

Since then, no main Lethwei occasions have been organized since this current coup. Many consider that the expansion of this thrilling sport has been halted, and struggle followers will simply have to attend on Lethwei.

The place Can I Watch Lethwei

If you wish to keep updated with the game of Lethwei, you possibly can observe the World Lethwei Championship on Youtube. You may return and watch all the massive fights within the sport on their channel. 

They will even provide you with updates each time they’re permitted to run one other occasion sooner or later.