Portugal’s Antonio Faria (40-7) spoiled the rise of Myanmar’s Saw Htoo Aung (11-3-13), claiming World Lethwei Championship’s inaugural light welterweight (63.5 kg) title with a third-round stoppage.
The contest served as the headlining bout of Friday’s “World Lethwei Championship: Mighty Warriors” event, which streamed live on UFC Fight Pass from Mandalar Thiri Indoor Stadium in Mandalay, Myanmar.
The pace was quick from the start, with both men trading kicks to all levels and Aung digging straight punches to the body. Both men found the mark with strikes up top, as well, with the opening frame remaining a spirited affair throughout.
At the start of the second, Aung’s left eye showed the wear of his opponent’s work, with a big mouse quickly developing. Faria was aggressive throughout the round, and his powerful kicks reddened his foe’s body and threatened the chin, as well. Aung was more measured in his attacks, though he did find a home for a few stiff punches that snapped Faria’s head back.
Faria continued to press in the third, though he met some resistance from Aung, who started to unleash a flurry of kicks in an attempt to seize some momentum. As Aung’s left eye continued to swell, Faria kept a target on the body, as well, tearing apart the torso with big kicks that slapped the ribs.
With his offense in full gear, Faria landed a crisp right hand to the jaw, clearly dazing Aung and earning a standing eight count. On the restart, another massive right hand sent Aung crashing to the canvas. Aung crawled back to his feet, but he didn’t have the will to continue, and the contest was waved off at the 2:21 mark of the round, crowning Faria as World Lethwei Championship’s inaugural light welterweight champion.
Antonio Faria wastes no time after his opponent gets the standing 10 count! And with that, he takes home the belt! Watch the entire replay of @WorldLethwei #MightyWarriors anytime!https://t.co/ZPCNPQ59Bd pic.twitter.com/yE4W2pMuTe
— UFC FIGHT PASS (@UFCFightPass) February 22, 2019
In the night’s co-main event, Ukrainian light middleweight (71 kg) Sasha Moisa (39-6-1) made a splash in his World Lethwei Championship debut, scoring a devastating third-round knockout of Myanmar’s own Shwe Yar Mann (24-7-18).
Moisa controlled the pace from the start, stalking from the center of the ring and backing his opponent to the ropes while picking his punches. The strategy paid dividends in the second, when a big right hand sent Mann crashing to the canvas. While he crawled back to his feet, Mann wasn’t able to sway the momentum, and Moisa put him out cold at the 48-second mark of the round with a pair of powerful right hands.
Decisive right hand finish to to start… and end the third round.#MightyWarriors pic.twitter.com/DkTBfwSqXW
— UFC FIGHT PASS (@UFCFightPass) February 22, 2019
“World Lethwei Championship: Mighty Warriors” results include:
- Antonio Faria def. Saw Htoo Aung via TKO (retirement) – Round 3, 2:21 – to claim inaugural light welterweight title
- Sasha Moisa def. Shwe Yar Mann via knockout (punches) – Round 3, 0:48
- Yan Naing Tun def. Saw Ba Oo via unanimous decision
- Nguyen Tran Duy Nhat def. Pich Mtes Khmang via knockout (kick and punch) – Round 1, 2:33
- Htoo Nay Thu def. Daung Phyu via unanimous decision
- Saw Min Min def. Saw Darwait via unanimous decision
- Tun Min Naing def. Shaw Thar Nge via split decision