Muay Thai(Phichi) vs. Myanmar Lethwei(Saw Shark)

This is how real Bando matches are supposed to be, bare knuckle and hardcore! With headbutts and slams too!

Saw Ngaman(Shark), Myanmar Letwei (White) who has not yet won any title. Phichi Chai 2006 Muay Thai Champion(Blue).

This fight is under Myanmar Lethwei rules.
Rules are: -1 time out -Fight goes to the ground the fight is reset on the feet -All strikes like headbutts, punches,kicks, knees, slam down with strikes legal -No pads no gloves, barenuckle only. - no judges, fight goes to draw if no KO. Description by BF1.

Myanmar Lethwei. Myanmar Traditional Boxing is a form of kickboxing which originated in Myanmar. Lethwei is in many ways similar to its siblings from neighboring South-East Asian countries such as Tomoi from Malaysia, Pradal Serey from Cambodia and Muay Thai from Thailand. If Thai Boxing is the science of 8 limbs, then Lethwei can be called the science of 9 limbs, due to the allowance of head butts. In comparison, Lethwei can be interpreted as being bolder and more extreme.

Myanmar boxers are said to be slightly bigger and taller than their Thai counterparts. The techniques are a bit slower and stronger than in the other Southeast Asian kickboxing forms. There are records recording Lethwei style matches dating back to the Pyu Empire in Myanmar. Ancient Myanmar armies successfully used Lethwei, Bando and its armed sibling Banshay in winning many wars against neighboring countries. Participants fight without gloves or protection, wrapping only their hands in hemp or gauze cloth. Fights are traditionally held outdoors in sandpits instead of rings, but in modern times they are now held in rings. Popular techniques in Lethwei include leg kicks, knees, elbows, head butts, raking knuckle strikes, and take downs.

Matches traditionally and ultimately would go until a fighter could no longer continue. In earlier times, there no draws, only a win or loss by knockout. No point system existed. Extreme bloodshed was very common and death in the ring was no surprise. Nowadays in the match, if a knockout occurs, the boxer is revived and has the option of continuing; as a result, defense, conditioning, and learning to absorb punishment are very important. Myanmar boxers spend a great deal of time preparing the body to absorb impact and conditioning their weapons to dish it out. Matches today are carried out in both the traditional manner and a more modern offshoot started in 1996, the Myanma Traditional boxing. The modern style has changed to make the contests more of an organized sport under the government's organization. It should be noted that the modern style of Myanma Traditional Boxing greatly resembles Muay Thai in its sporting outlook, and not quite the rougher and tumble fighting of its rural roots.

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Adrian Davis
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Create The Ultimate Martial Art

I am a student of the Salem Bando Club, a school of the American Bando Association. I'm getting back in shape to get my black belt (I went to college before I was old enough to get it)and after that I plan to perfect the style that I've learned. I will first begin with striking, since that is what I know, then move into grappling. I have a strong understanding of combat and martial arts, so I know what will and will not work. The art form will be perfected in battle.

This is my true life long dream that is above all else, even above starting my own t-shirt apparel company. Martial Arts is what got me through the worst years of my life and it is the martial discipline that has facilitated my success in various non-martial undertakings. It has kept me from becoming a sad stereo type and statistic.

In addition to creating this new art form, it will be my way of showing thanks and my way of honoring my teachers Sam C. Willis and Carl G. Beaman. They have dedicated years of their lives teaching me this art form and handing it down to me as it was to them. I understand how important it is and I shall do the same. Their hard work will not be in vein.

I first wrote this on my "43 Things page," then I decided to write it here since it was so long.

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Adrian Davis
Soldier Complex: Martial Arts T-Shirts and Apparel
egad apparel: eclectic t-shirts and funky apparel