World Lethwei Championship: The Best Bouts Of 2020

Despite being dealt the tough hand of the novel coronavirus, the World Lethwei Championship had a year to remember.

The WLC was able to get in one event under normal circumstances in January with WLC: Battlebones, returning in August with WLC: Hideout Battle and again in September with WLC: Lethwei Showcase while navigating COVID-19.

Nothing, though, came between the Lethwei athletes and putting on a show for combat fans around the world. WLC continues to be broadcast to all parts of the globe through UFC Fight Pass and CANAL+. 

Those fans tuning in were gifted with five bouts that stood out from the WLC. Here’s a closer look at those best bouts from 2020.

Souris Manfredi Vs. Maisha Katz – WLC: Hideout Battle

The women of combat sports have quickly risen to the top in terms of must-see-viewing. Souris Manfredi is among those that make that claim hold true. 

Manfredi claimed the inaugural WLC bantamweight championship with a fourth round TKO over Maisha Katz. The bout served as the main event, another remarkable feat for the women of WLC, at WLC: Hideout Battle this past August. 

How important was this event and fight? It was the first card back for the WLC since the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Antonio Faria Vs. Francisco Vinuelas – WLC: Lethwei Showcase

He has quickly become “The Knockout King Of WLC,” and Antonio Faria showed why that continues to hold true.

At WLC: Lethwei Showcase this past September, Faria successfully defended his WLC light welterweight championship. He forced Francisco Jose Vinuelas, a veteran of the combat sports world, to retire after the third round of action.

Somiong Vs. Artur Te – WLC: Hideout Battle

Not every single bout can end in highlight-reel fashion. And you know what? Sometimes that is for the better.

At WLC: Hideout Battle earlier this year we saw just that, as Somiong and Artur Te squared off for five rounds and 15 minutes of incredible, back-and-forth Lethwei action. In the end, Somiong earned the split decision, but the real winner was all the fans watching live and on replays since. 

Hein Tun Aung Vs. Em Sothy – WLC: Battlebones

Another instant classic was featured at WLC: Battlebones in the lightweight division between Hein Tun Aung and Em Sothy. 

The two warriors exchanged everything but the kitchen sink, with Hein Tun Aung earning the key decision on this night. 

Lin Htet Naing Vs. Zin Bo – WLC: Battlebones

How about this for setting the tone to 2020 for WLC. At WLC: Battlebones in January, the very first bout of the night was one that featured a four-round encounter between Lin Htet Naing and Zin Bob.

The Myanmar natives put themselves on notice with the action, as Lin Htet Naing was declared the winner.