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Lethwei (Burmese: လက်ဝှေ့; IPA: [lɛʔ.ʍḛ]), or Burmese boxing, is a full contact combat sport from Myanmar that uses stand-up striking along with various clinching techniques. Lethwei is considered to be one of the most brutal martial arts in the world, because the fights are done bareknuckle, with only the use of tape and gauze and headbutts are permitted. The art uses takedowns, fists, elbows, knees, feet, and, unusually, the head. Although disallowed in most combat sports, headbutting is an important weapon in a Lethwei fighter's arsenal. This is the reason it is also known as "The Art of 9 Limbs".
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