Chiang Mai, Thailand- World Lethwei Championship (WLC), the world’s largest bareknuckle fighting organisation, hosted WLC: LETHWEI SHOWCASE that aired for the first time earlier today. In the main event, Light Welterweight World Lethwei Champion Antonio Faria continued his knockout winning streak by finishing challenger Francisco Vinuelas at the end of round 3 to retain the Light Welterweight World Lethwei Championship.
The event aired live on Canal+, UFC Fight Pass, and other broadcast partners across 70 countries. Check your local listings for replays.
Faria had to come from behind after an overhead right hand from Vinuelas caused Faria to faceplant and had to recover from a 10-count in the first round to win the bout. After being saved by the bell in the first round, Faria dominated the second and third round with precise elbows in the clinch, wearing down the challenge. Vineulas failed to answer the bell before the start of round four for Faria to notch up his fourth finish in as many lethwei fights.
In the co-main event, Nico Mendes made quick work of his opponent, Saensuek. Spain’s Mendes had a significant height and reach advantage and used that to dominate the action, and dropped Thailand’s Saensuek with a knee in the clinch. Saensuek failed to get back to his feet during the 10-count, awarding Mendes a first round knockout victory.
Photos for WLC: LETHWEI SHOWCASE are available here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/16ilFVrKHf1pag0w6UAXg0-jt6vFmfaJ7?usp=sharing
Full results of WLC: LETHWEI SHOWCASE
Light Welterweight 60 to 63.5kg (Light Welterweight World Lethwei Championship) – Antonio Faria (Portugal) defeats Francisco Vinuelas (Spain) at 3:00 in round 3 via TKO to retain Light Welterweight World Lethwei Championship
Middleweight 71 to 75kg – Nico Mendes (Spain) defeats Saensuek (Thailand) at 1:30 in round 1 via Knockout
Light Middleweight 67 to 71kg – Leehaney Henrique (Brazil) defeats Vladimir Shulyak (Russia) via unanimous decision
Light Welterweight 60 to 63.5kg – Yoel Paique (Argentina) defeats Saw Hla Min (Myanmar) at 0:37 in round 2 via knockout
Bantamweight 51 to 54kg – Pha Kyaw Hae (Myanmar) VS Bandasak (Thailand) ends in a draw
Women’s Bantamweight 51 to 54kg – Miriam Sabot (Italy) defeats Petchnaree (Thailand) at 3:00 in round 2 via TKO
Bantamweight 51 to 54kg – Elamghari Ayoub (Morocco) defeats Jay Chay (Myanmar) via split decision
Fight Game Asia 