Lethwei

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Lethwei, also known as Burmese boxing or the Art of Nine Limbs, is a full‑contact martial art from Myanmar. Fighters strike with fists, elbows, knees, and feet, and headbutts are allowed. They fight bareknuckle with hand wraps, which helps explain its nickname for being one of the world’s most brutal martial arts.

Origins and style
Lethwei comes from Myanmar’s long tradition of Thaing, a group of related fighting arts. Ancient matches were held in sand pits with no gloves, and fights continued until one fighter was knocked out or could not continue. Traditionally there is little or no judging; wins come by knockout, and draws are possible if no one is knocked out.

Traditional vs modern rules
There are two main rule sets today:
- Traditional Lethwei: no scoring by judges; a fighter wins only by knockout or by the opponent being unable to continue. If both fighters remain standing after the allotted rounds, the match can be a draw.
- Modern Lethwei: fights can be decided by judges, giving a clear winner even if there isn’t a knockout. This version also uses a more standardized round system.

How fights are fought
- Rounds and duration: bouts are typically 3 to 5 rounds, each lasting 3 minutes, with 2 minutes between rounds. Championship bouts are usually 5 rounds.
- Gear: no boxing gloves; hands are wrapped and taped before the fight.
- Techniques: besides punches, fighters use kicks, elbows, knees, and foot thrusts. Headbutts are allowed and are a distinctive feature of the sport.

Where it’s played and who runs it
- The sport is overseen by the World Lethwei Federation. International promotions like World Lethwei Championship (WLC) and ONE Championship have helped bring Lethwei to a wider audience.

Notable moments and culture
- Lethwei has produced famous matchups and has drawn attention worldwide, especially after high-profile bouts in the 2010s. The sport also features traditional pre-fight rituals, such as the lekkha moun (a respectful challenge signal) and the Lethwei yay (a pre-fight dance).

Safety and legality
- Because of its violent rules, Lethwei is illegal in many countries. It remains most popular in Myanmar, with growing interest in other parts of the world.