Why Lethwei Is Gaining More Popularity In Recent Years

The world of combat sports continues to grow and gain popularity around the world, one form of discipline is really taking off.

Lethwei is one of the oldest arts there is, dating back to the Pyu Empire in 2nd century BCE in Myanmar. 

So why is it now taking off and making an impact on a world-wide level? Because of the World Lethwei Championship promotion.

Think about MMA in connection with UFC several years ago. The sport had been around in some form, but until the UFC took it and pushed it to the moon, not a lot of people were familiar with it.

Dana White and The Ultimate Fighter brought UFC into households around the world, making stars out of the likes of Randy Couture, Tito Ortiz, Chuck Liddell and others with Georges St-Pierre, Anderson Silva, BJ Penn, Jon Jones, Ronda Rousey and more carrying the torch until this day.

In 2015, WLC was founded bringing together an incredible combination of world-class athletes, the historic traditions of Lethwei and live entertainment including pyrotechnics, enticing fighter entrances, music and dancers. 

Two years after beginning to lay the pieces down for the foundation, WLC debuted with WLC: The Great Beginning. The promotion made another headline-rattling move with the signing of Dave Leduc.

Leduc, a champion around the world in Lethwei, made his promotional debut in 2019 at WLC: King of Nine Limbs with a finish of UFC veteran Seth Baczynski. 

Along the way, WLC has reached broadcast agreements with UFC Fight Pass and Canal+ along with sponsorships from Fuso, AGD Bank, SPEED Energy Drink and more. 

WLC has continued to push Lethwei despite battling the ever-changing world through the novel coronavirus, bringing live action from undisclosed locations to showcase the sport. 

Lethwei has also been featured in major motion picture films including Underground with Leduc and on The Joe Rogan Experience.