Hollywood, FL – On the BKFC 2025 Champions Summit, held on the Seminole Exhausting Rock Lodge & On line casino in Hollywood, Florida, Naked Knuckle Preventing Championship (BKFC) co-owner Conor McGregor and founder/president David Feldman revealed a groundbreaking enlargement: BKFC has acquired a majority stake in a Lethwei promotion, creating the brand new department often known as “BKFC Lethwei.” This marks a pivotal step in BKFC’s world progress technique and the evolution of bare-knuckle fight sports activities.
Lethwei, also referred to as Burmese boxing, is a standard martial artwork from Myanmar. It’s widely known as one of the brutal placing disciplines in fight sports activities, that includes bare-knuckle placing together with elbows, knees, and headbutts—making it extra violent and uncooked than trendy Muay Thai.
The newly shaped BKFC Lethwei might be led by Nick Chapman, the previous CEO of BKFC Thailand, tasked with spearheading BKFC’s entrance into one among Asia’s most iconic fight sport traditions.
This transfer not solely broadens BKFC’s world footprint but additionally bridges conventional martial arts with trendy bare-knuckle guidelines. By bringing Lethwei underneath its banner, BKFC goals to legitimize and elevate the self-discipline on the world stage—whereas honoring its unfiltered, historic roots.
Nick Chapman, Founder and CEO of BKFC Asia, introduced on the BKFC Asia Fb Web page concerning the identify BKFC Lethwei:
“We respect and recognize the suggestions now we have acquired concerning the identify BKFC Lethwei.
Please perceive that our mission is to honor Myanmar’s proud heritage because the birthplace of Lethwei, whereas sharing this distinctive martial artwork with the world. We’ll all the time promote Myanmar on the worldwide stage, showcasing its tradition, historical past, and traditions.
Our important objective of creating Lethwei globally is to carry larger recognition again to Myanmar.
Nonetheless, after in depth authorized evaluation {and professional} recommendation, we should state clearly: the one identify that can be utilized worldwide is BKFC Lethwei. The usage of the identify BKFC Myanmar Lethwei will not be potential for quite a lot of causes.
This isn’t a matter of non-public opinion, however a authorized and regulatory requirement. Subsequently, the model identify can’t and won’t change.
We don’t want to offend anybody so whether it is insisted that the identify “BKFC Myanmar Lethwei” have to be used, then sadly we’d don’t have any alternative however to withdraw. This could imply no funding, no promotion, and no improvement of Lethwei underneath our construction.
We don’t want for this consequence. Our dedication is to develop Myanmar Lethwei on the world stage, bringing many nice advantages again to the nation, whereas making certain Myanmar is all the time acknowledged with delight as its true house. However to realize this, the model should stay BKFC Lethwei.” — With respect, Nick Chapman
Roberto Villa is the CEO, Founder, Govt Author, Senior Editor of FightBook MMA. Has a ardour for Fight Sports activities and likewise a podcast host for Sitting Ringside. He’s additionally a former MMA fighter and Kickboxer.
Uncover extra from FightBook MMA
Subscribe to get the newest posts despatched to your e-mail.
