Latest news with #Lethwei
BBC News
12-04-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Bristol's 'Burmese python' fighting for equality in the ring
A British woman who made history as a leading competitor in Burmese Bareknuckle Boxing is calling for equal opportunities for women in combat Barke, 31, who studied at the University of the West of England (UWE) in Bristol, is ranked number two in the world in Lethwei - an intense form of Burmese martial the ring, she is known as the "Burmese Python," a name that nods to both her mother's heritage and her fearless fighting Barke has carved out a place at the top of one of the world's most brutal sports - a discipline that allows headbutts, punches, kicks, knees, elbows, and no gloves. "Lethwei has taught me to manage my mindset," said Ms Barke. "Instead of feeling like the underdog and seeing the male-dominated environment as a negative, I flipped it on its head."I thought, 'I've got an opportunity to represent lots of other women who are going to be coming through.'" Ms Barke's journey into martial arts began at university, a far cry from her childhood training in ballet. Her nickname, the "Burmese Python," was coined early on - a symbol of both her cultural roots and her coiled, aggressive energy in the 2020, she was invited to compete in Myanmar - the birthplace of Lethwei. Arriving in her mother's ancestral home, she was stunned to see her face on billboards around the country."Competing in Myanmar was surreal," she said. "I look back and think, wow, I'm really proud to have done that."People don't realise how much courage it takes to step into the ring - especially in a sport as brutal as this," she explained. Ms Barke juggles professional boxing with her demanding career in banking, where she oversees a team of a respected name in boxing, Ms Barke is using her platform to call for gender equality in combat sports."Whether it's about getting the same opportunities or even just equal pay as a female athlete - we're still not there," she said. "I speak to male fighters who've never had to negotiate or fight for fair salaries."Her path has not been without struggle. Born with narcolepsy, Ms Barke has survived a near-fatal car crash, battled post-traumatic stress disorder, and in 2023 was diagnosed with a brain tumour. However, she was told the tumour was benign, and she has continued to train and alongside fighting, she's turned to coaching, with a focus on helping women realise their potential - both in sport and in the workplace."In my job, I see women who want to progress but don't feel like they have a valued voice or an authentic path forward," she said. "That's why I'm so passionate about coaching. We need more inspiring, authentic leaders fighting for change."
South China Morning Post
28-03-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
ONE Championship: Liam Harrison ‘wants a war' with Soe Lin Oo when pair meet at ONE 173
Liam Harrison said he 'wants a war' with Soe Lin Oo, a fighter the Englishman described as 'one of the toughest men in the sport' ahead of their meeting at ONE 173 in August. Advertisement Harrison has built his career on delivering barnburners but, in Denver, will be facing a fighter with a reputation for being incredibly tough to put away. 'This guy is a savage,' Harrison told the Post. 'If you've seen his fights in Myanmar, you know what I mean. 'He's fought in Lethwei (Burmese bare-knuckle boxing with head butts allowed) and he's one of the toughest men in the sport. He's been in absolute wars and just walks forward, no matter what you hit him with. 'I know he's gonna come at me, and I love that. I want a war. I want to stand there, bite down on my gumshield, and trade bombs. That's what I live for. That's what the fans want to see.' But Harrison would not be satisfied with simply beating Soe, he wants to make a statement on August 1.
USA Today
28-01-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
'Shara Bullet' vows to maintain 'no takedown' career at UFC Fight Night 250 vs. Michael Page
Legend has it 'Shara Bullet' has never shot for a takedown in a fight – and he doesn't plan on changing that Saturday at UFC Fight Night 250. Shara Magomedov wants fans to know that while both he and opponent Michael Page are elite on the feet, there's a difference in their attack. 'He's a 10-time kickboxing champion with light contact kickboxing,' Magomedov told MMA Junkie on Tuesday through a Russian-language interpreter. 'I'm a Russian muay Thai champion. I've fought in stadiums in Thailand and other places. I have the status of Master of Sports in different fighting categories, in different fighting sports. I have better striking. I have better cardio. I think when we're in the octagon together, there's going to be nowhere for him to run.' '… That's different because kickboxers they usually just fight for points. They lightly touch. They tap. They slap, almost. But when it comes to muay Thai and Lethwei, the folks who do those type of sports, they kick and hit so hard as to break a bone of their opponent. It's every punch and every hit could be a fight-ending punch.' Through four UFC appearances, Magomedov (15-0 MMA, 4-0 UFC) has two decision wins and two knockout finishes. A strike-happy fighter, Magomedov often spends much of his defensive effort trying to fend off opponents' grappling attempts. Don't expect the script to flip Saturday vs. Page (22-3 MMA, 1-1 UFC) at ANB Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. 'I've had 20 fights in MMA at this point and I've never went for a takedown,' Magomedov said. 'I watched his fights. It doesn't look like he goes for takedowns too much. But I'm going to be that person. I'm going to make 'MVP' be the first one to jump for a takedown.' If he wins, Magomedov will be 5-0 in the UFC. Where will a victory land him, he's not exactly sure. But he thinks victory will prove to the world that he's one of the best in the world. 'It shows that I'm one of the best strikers when it comes to the middleweight division or the welterweight division,' Magomedov said. 'I'm going to show when it comes to my striking, there's no equals to me. In this fight, on my side, is the strength, the power. On his side is the speed and the movement. '… As for the knockout on Feb. 1, all I'm going to say is, do not blink. Just watch the fight. You want to see it. You don't want to miss anything.' For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie's event hub for UFC Fight Night 250.
