The fighter looks across the sandpit as his opponent performs the “Lethwei yay,” a traditional fighter’s dance. It looks rhythmic and relaxed and is meant to display the fighter’s skill and courage. 

At its conclusion, both combatants perform the “letkkha moun” as a gesture of both challenge and respect before the bout begins.  

Lethwei is Bare-Knuckle Badassery

At the start, both men enter the center of the pit, bump fists as a sign of respect, and then the fight commences. Traditional Myanmar music performed by an ensemble called the “hsaing waing” begins to play. The volume and tempo of the music rise and fall, along with the energy of the fight. The tempo will ultimately increase to a frenzied pitch during the clashes and exchanges between these two fighters. 

The fight’s pace is furious, and the first combatant’s cardio is tested as barrage after barrage of punches and elbows come in a flurry. He responds with a one-two combination followed by a downward-angle elbow. He strikes again with a horizontal right elbow followed by a left hook, which sends his opponent stumbling backward. 

His opponent immediately responds with a rushing headbutt, resulting in a near miss. They then clinch and begin infighting with elbows and repeated headbutts that test the other’s resolve and cause each to see stars. Then, they part with a flurry of punches followed by kicks to the body. Bloodied and bruised, they clash, throwing bare-knuckle punches, and each tries to overwhelm and knock out the other. 

The music blares and the crowd cheers as the first fighter enters with his jab and right elbow. Then, he finishes with a ferocious headbutt that sends his opponent backward. A traditional Lethwei fight can only end in a knockout, and that is exactly what is delivered as the fighter watches his opponent reel and then crumple to the sand. At the same time, the crowd erupts in celebratory chaos. A new champion is crowned.

Martial Arts Masters

Lethwei is a warrior sport practiced long ago by ancient Burmese soldiers. It is a primal form of kickboxing fought bare-knuckle with very few rules. Known as the “Art of 9 Limbs”—as opposed to Muay Thai’s “Art of 8 Limbs”—Lethwei takes things one step further, not only allowing but also encouraging the use of headbutts to take an opponent down. 

This is truly a bare-knuckle sport where anything goes. Fighters are only allowed to wrap their hands with hemp or gauze, which provides minimal protection. It is the only Southeast Asian boxing method still fought with bare fists. 

Other similar arts, such as Muay Thai in Thailand and Muay Lao in Laos, have all adopted gloves for competition. Lethwei fighters believe that this lack of gloves allows for a wider range of striking techniques. Due to the high risk of damage to the hands, these strikes must also be thrown with greater precision and skill. 

The notorious headbutt is another staple of Lethwei fighters. It is an effective means of attack and counterattack and can be highly effective at close range during the clinch or while grappling. Fighters can also use the head to counter a punch, causing significant damage to an opponent’s fist. 

Mortal Combat

In addition to bare-knuckle boxing and headbutting, Lethwei also allows trapping, choking, and throwing techniques, which are typically illegal in similar arts. Lethwei fighters risk significant harm, but they push martial arts traditions forward by allowing the full use of the body’s arsenal and a much greater range of lighting options. 

Traditional Lethwei contests were held during festivals and celebrations. These fights occurred outdoors in circular sandpits. The original fights had no weight classes and could only be won by knockout. Even if one fighter dominated the entire bout, if no knockout occurred, then the fight was declared a draw. 

Another unique attribute of a Lethwei fight is a special rest period that can give a downed opponent a second chance. If a fighter is knocked out, his corner can take two minutes to help him recover so that he may continue. 

Modern Lethwei has maintained its violence and brutality while adopting a few changes that allow it greater appeal to the masses. Weight classes, timed rounds, and judges have been introduced to score fights that may not end in knockouts. 

Classic Fighting Sport

Lethwei first gained international attention in 2001 when three American kickboxers came to Myanmar to test their skills. All three, including a UFC fighter, were KO’d brutally inside the first round. This was a turning point for the art, and many more international events began.

Tun Tun Min became one of the most famous Lethwei fighters when, at 21, he became the youngest to win the Golden Belt Openweight Championship. He then defended that belt 18 times before losing it in 2016. 

Then, Tun Tun Min met Dave “The Nomad” Leduc from Canada. Leduc was the first non-Burmese fighter to win the Golden Belt Openweight title under traditional rules. Leduc is now the most recognizable face of Lethwei and is often referred to as the “King of Lethwei.” He is the current World Lethwei Championship Cruiserweight World Champion and the undefeated Openweight Lethwei World Champion under traditional rules. 

Leduc has adopted Myanmar as his home country and is significantly involved in promoting Lethwei worldwide. Lethwei fights are now available with the UFC Fight Pass, a testament to its growing popularity.

Finish Him!

Lethwei is indeed one of the most brutal fighting arts in the world. The sheer variety of physical weapons a fighter can wield makes it deadly as both a combat sport and a form of self-defense. Its unrestricted design makes it applicable to street defense and is very effective in such situations.  

Lethwei also has a lot to offer the combat sports world. With its use of nine striking tools, it puts a unique spin and a different look on fights when compared to similar combat sports such as Muay Thai kickboxing. While other arts have grown increasingly commercialized, Lethwei has maintained that raw energy that comes from courageous fighters who have more pride than cash on the line. 

Lethwei remains one of Myanmar’s finest and most authentic traditions, which we hope to see more of in the future.