Lethwei record
| 1 win, 0 losses, 0 draws | ||||||||
| Date | Result | Opponent | Event | Location | Method | Round | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 10, 2004 | Win |  Aye Bo Sein | Myanmar vs. Japan Lethwei Challenge Fights | Yangon, Myanmar | KO | 4 | ||
| Legend: Win Loss Draw Notes | ||||||||
| Akitoshi Tamura | |
|---|---|
| Born | May 31, 1980 Nishiwaki, Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan |
| Other names | Ironman |
| Nationality | Japanese |
| Height | 174 cm (5 ft 9 in) |
| Weight | 135 lb (61 kg; 9.6 st) |
| Division | Bantamweight, Featherweight (formerly) |
| Reach | 70 in (180 cm) |
| Fighting out of | Hyogo, Japan |
| Team | Tsudanuma Dojo |
| Mixed martial arts record | |
| Total | 37 |
| Wins | 19 |
| By knockout | 1 |
| By submission | 5 |
| By decision | 13 |
| Losses | 16 |
| By knockout | 2 |
| By submission | 2 |
| By decision | 11 |
| By disqualification | 1 |
| Draws | 2 |
| Other information | |
| Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog | |
Akitoshi Tamura (born May 31, 1980) is a Japanese mixed martial artist. He competed almost exclusively in the Shooto organization, before making his debut in 2008 at the WEC 37. In 2007, he was the lightweight champion of Shooto. He was once ranked as the #5 Bantamweight in the world by the MMAWeekly Worldwide Ranking System. [1] Tamura is a freestyle fighter. In 2004, Tamura became the first foreigner to beat a Burmese Lethwei fighter in an official match. [2]
Tamura made his professional debut in the Shooto organization in a fight against Eiji Murayama, in August 2001, and lost on a technical decision (he later returned to face Murayama in 2004, only for the match to end in a draw). He has made MMA headlines when he defeated Takeshi Inoue in 2007, which won him the title of Shooto lightweight champion. He has also participated in GCM and MARS events, achieving a TKO over Masaomi Saito in the former, and a first round submission over Ian Loveland in the latter.
Akitoshi Tamura made his WEC debut at WEC 37. Although Akitoshi had a reputation of being one of the world's best in his weight class, [3] he lost to former IFL featherweight champion Wagnney Fabiano, for whom it was also his WEC debut. [4] For his next fight, Tamura made his 135 lb. debut in the bantamweight division at WEC 40 against former world title challenger Manny Tapia. Tamura defeated Tapia by unanimous decision.
On October 10, 2009, he was scheduled to fight Damacio Page at WEC 43, [5] but pulled out with an undisclosed injury. He was replaced in the bout by WEC newcomer Will Campuzano.
On January 10, 2010, Tamura was defeated by WEC veteran Charlie Valencia via split decision at WEC 46. [6]
Tamura competed in a Lethwei tournament on July 10 & 11, 2004 at the Thuwunna National Indoor Stadium in Yangon, Myanmar against Aye Bo Sein. The event also showcased three other Japanese fighters, Tamura, Yoshitaro Niimi, Takaharu Yamamoto and Seiji Wakasugi against Burmese fighters. [7] The other Burmese fighters competing in the tournament were Naing Wan Lay, Win Tun and Shwe Sai. [8]
Tamura knocked out local fighter Aya Bo Sein in the fourth round [9] becoming the first foreigner to beat a Lethwei practitioner in an official match [2] and received a challenge fight belt that was created specifically for the event. [10]
| 1 win, 0 losses, 0 draws | ||||||||
| Date | Result | Opponent | Event | Location | Method | Round | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 10, 2004 | Win | Aye Bo Sein | Myanmar vs. Japan Lethwei Challenge Fights | Yangon, Myanmar | KO | 4 | ||
| Legend: Win Loss Draw Notes | ||||||||
| 37 matches | 19 wins | 16 losses |
| By knockout | 1 | 2 |
| By submission | 5 | 2 |
| By decision | 13 | 11 |
| By disqualification | 0 | 1 |
| Draws | 2 | |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 19–16–2 | Satoshi Inaba | Decision (split) | Pancrase: 267 | May 31, 2015 | 3 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Loss | 18–16–2 | Guy Delumeau | Decision (split) | Pancrase: 264 | February 1, 2015 | 3 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Loss | 18–15–2 | Andy Main | TKO (punches) | Pancrase: 262 | November 2, 2014 | 2 | 4:34 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 18–14–2 | Motoshi Miyaji | Decision (unanimous) | Pancrase: 258 | May 11, 2014 | 3 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 17–14–2 | Brian Choi | Decision (majority) | Shooto: 4th Round 2013 | September 29, 2013 | 3 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Loss | 16–14–2 | Yoshifumi Nakamura | Decision (unanimous) | Shooto: Gig Tokyo 14 | April 21, 2013 | 3 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Loss | 16–13–2 | Yusuke Yachi | Decision (unanimous) | Shooto: 8th Round | July 16, 2012 | 3 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Loss | 16–12–2 | Yuji Hoshino | Decision (unanimous) | Shooto: 3rd Round | March 10, 2012 | 3 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 16–11–2 | Shigeki Osawa | Decision (unanimous) | Shooto: Shooto the Shoot 2011 | November 5, 2011 | 3 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Loss | 15–11–2 | Tetsu Suzuki | Submission (triangle kimura) | Shooto: Shootor's Legacy 3 | July 18, 2011 | 3 | 2:45 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Loss | 15–10–2 | Taiyo Nakahara | DQ (low blows) | World Victory Road Presents: Soul of Fight | December 30, 2010 | 1 | 2:07 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 15–9–2 | Shoko Sato | Decision (split) | World Victory Road Presents: Sengoku Raiden Championships 15 | October 30, 2010 | 2 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | Asian Bantamweight Grand Prix Quarterfinal |
| Loss | 14–9–2 | Masakatsu Ueda | Decision (unanimous) | Shooto: The Way of Shooto 3: Like a Tiger, Like a Dragon | May 30, 2010 | 3 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Loss | 14–8–2 | Charlie Valencia | Decision (split) | WEC 46 | January 10, 2010 | 3 | 5:00 | Sacramento, California, USA | |
| Win | 14–7–2 | Manny Tapia | Decision (unanimous) | WEC 40 | April 5, 2009 | 3 | 5:00 | Chicago, Illinois, USA | Bantamweight debut |
| Loss | 13–7–2 | Wagnney Fabiano | Submission (arm-triangle choke) | WEC 37: Torres vs. Tapia | December 3, 2008 | 3 | 4:48 | Las Vegas, Nevada, USA | WEC debut |
| Win | 13–6–2 | Rumina Sato | Submission (north-south choke) | Shooto: Shooto Tradition 1 | May 3, 2008 | 3 | 2:37 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Loss | 12–6–2 | Hideki Kadowaki | Decision (majority) | Shooto: Back To Our Roots 8 | March 28, 2008 | 3 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | Lost Shooto Lightweight (143 lbs.) Championship |
| Win | 12–5–2 | Takeshi Inoue | Decision (unanimous) | Shooto: Back To Our Roots 3 | May 18, 2007 | 3 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | Won Shooto Lightweight (143 lbs.) Championship |
| Win | 11–5–2 | Tenkei Oda | Decision (unanimous) | Shooto: Back To Our Roots 1 | February 17, 2007 | 3 | 5:00 | Yokohama, Japan | |
| Win | 10–5–2 | Akiyo Nishiura | Decision (unanimous) | Shooto: Rookie Tournament Final | December 2, 2006 | 2 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 9–5–2 | Sakae Kasuya | Submission (armbar) | Shooto 2006: 9/8 in Korakuen Hall | September 8, 2006 | 1 | 2:16 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Loss | 8–5–2 | Tenkei Oda | KO (punch) | Shooto: The Devilock | May 12, 2006 | 1 | 2:10 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 8–4–2 | Masaomi Saito | TKO (knees) | GCM: D.O.G. 5 | April 1, 2006 | 1 | 1:02 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 7–4–2 | Ian Loveland | Submission (triangle choke) | Martial Arts Reality Superfighting | February 4, 2006 | 1 | 3:40 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Loss | 6–4–2 | Takeshi Inoue | Decision (majority) | Shooto 2005: 11/6 in Korakuen Hall | November 6, 2005 | 3 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 6–3–2 | Hayate Usui | Technical Submission (rear-naked choke) | Shooto: 9/23 in Korakuen Hall | September 23, 2005 | 2 | 4:51 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 5–3–2 | Fanjin Son | Decision (majority) | Shooto 2005: 7/30 in Korakuen Hall | July 30, 2005 | 2 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Loss | 4–3–2 | Hideki Kadowaki | Decision (unanimous) | Shooto: 3/11 in Korakuen Hall | March 11, 2005 | 2 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 4–2–2 | Guseyn Aliev | Submission (armbar) | WAFC: Pankration Open Cup 2004 | April 5, 2004 | 1 | 1:53 | Khabarovsk, Russia | |
| Draw | 3–2–2 | Eiji Murayama | Draw | Shooto: 3/22 in Korakuen Hall | March 22, 2004 | 2 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 3–2–1 | Yohei Nanbu | Decision (unanimous) | Shooto: Wanna Shooto 2003 | November 3, 2003 | 2 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 2–2–1 | Masatoshi Kobayashi | Decision (unanimous) | Shooto: 3/18 in Korakuen Hall | March 18, 2003 | 2 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Loss | 1–2–1 | Hiroshi Komatsu | Technical Decision (unanimous) | Shooto: Gig East 10 | August 27, 2002 | 2 | 0:33 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Draw | 1–1–1 | Jin Kazeta | Draw | Shooto: Treasure Hunt 2 | January 25, 2002 | 2 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 1–1–0 | Koichi Tanaka | Decision (unanimous) | Shooto: GIG East 5 | August 15, 2001 | 2 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Loss | 0–1–0 | Eiji Murayama | Technical Decision (unanimous) | Shooto: Wanna Shooto 2001 | April 8, 2001 | 2 | N/A | Tokyo, Japan |
Lethwei or Burmese boxing is a full contact combat sport originating from Myanmar and is regarded as one of the most brutal martial arts in the world. Lethwei fighters are allowed to use stand-up striking techniques such as kicks, knees, elbows and punches, and the use of headbutts is also permitted. Fighters compete bareknuckle, wrapping their hands with only tape and gauze. Disallowed in most combat sports, headbutts are important weapons in a Lethwei fighter's arsenal, giving Lethwei its name of the "Art of nine limbs". This, combined with its bareknuckle nature, gave Lethwei a reputation for being one of the bloodiest and most violent martial arts. Although popular throughout modern Myanmar, Lethwei has been primarily and historically associated with the Karen people of the Kayin State; vast majority of competitive Lethwei fighters are ethnolinguistically of Karen descent.
Douglas Evans is an American former Featherweight mixed martial artist. In July 2001, Evans took part in the delegation of three American fighters invited to Myanmar for the first time to compete under Lethwei rules.
WEC 37: Torres vs. Tapia was a mixed martial arts event held by World Extreme Cagefighting on December 3, 2008 at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. The event aired live on the Versus Network.
Umar Semata is a Ugandan middleweight and super middleweight Muay Thai fighter and the former WBC World Boxing Council Muay Thai Interim Super Middleweight Champion.
Tun Tun Min is a Burmese Lethwei fighter of Mon descent, former openweight Lethwei World Champion. In 2014, he became the youngest fighter to ever win the Lethwei Golden Belt, obtaining the title at age 21. Tun Tun Min is considered Myanmar's top Lethwei fighter and is notable for fighting foreign challengers from outside Myanmar.
Dave Leduc is a Canadian former Lethwei fighter. He is a former six-time Lethwei world champion who held the openweight Lethwei Golden Belt and was undefeated under traditional rules KO to win. In 2014, Leduc first gained widespread notoriety by winning his fight in the controversial Prison Fight inside a maximum security prison in Thailand.
World Lethwei Championship was a Lethwei promotion based in Yangon, Myanmar. The promotion brought the millennia-old Burmese martial of Lethwei to UFC Fight Pass and showcased it to the world. The WLC events combined the historic traditions of Lethwei with modern entertainment.
Too Too was a Burmese Lethwei fighter who competed in World Lethwei Championship. He was the former WLC Middleweight World champion and was undefeated under traditional Lethwei rules, holding the 75 kg Lethwei Golden Belt from 2015 until his death in 2023. He also competed in a Lethwei superfight at Kunlun Fight 25 in Slovakia. Too Too died while in custody of the Burmese military known as the Tatmadaw on April 26, 2023.
Saw Nga Man, also known as Saw Shark, is a retired Burmese Lethwei fighter and former Openweight Lethwei World Champion.
Tun Lwin Moe is a retired undefeated Burmese Lethwei fighter. He was signed to the International Lethwei Federation Japan and was the 60 kg (130 lb) Lethwei World Champion under traditional rules.
The year 2017 is the 1st year in the history of the World Lethwei Championship, a Lethwei promotion based in Myanmar.
Shwe Sai, is a retired Burmese Lethwei fighter and former Openweight Lethwei World Champion.
Wan Chai is a former Burmese Lethwei fighter and Openweight Lethwei World Champion in 1998 and 1999.
Moe Kyoe is a retired Burmese lethwei fighter and first class flag champion, known for his endurance and speed. He was a key figure in changing the match format and kickstart in the national champions era. After his career as a Burmese boxer he entered monkhood in 1998.
Pyi Taw Pyan was a Burmese Lethwei fighter, well-known during the British rule in Burma. He became champion and owner of U Ba's cup in 1931.
Bala Sein was a well-known Burmese boxer in British Burma. He was a former champion and owner of U Ba's cup in 1932.
Phyu Gyi was a Burmese boxer and Lethwei fighter from Burma. He is a former multiple-time flag champion.
Kyaung Thar was a Burmese boxer. He is a former multiple-time flag champion and gold medalist.
Vero Nika is a Burmese Lethwei and Muay Thai fighter. She is one of the most successful female Lethwei fighters in the sport. In 2022, amid unrest in Myanmar because of the 2021 Myanmar coup d'état, she started competing in Muay Thai in neighboring Thailand. She reached the no.1 spot in the female world rankings at 53 kg according to World Muay Thai Organization, and became Thai Fight Kard Chuek Champion.
Thway Thit Win Hlaing is a Burmese Lethwei fighter and current openweight Lethwei world Champion. He is known as counter fighter relying on counters rather than straight offence.
