2017 in ILFJ

This event featured recently crowned openweight Lethwei World Champion Dave Leduc[5] defending his title for the first time against Lethwei veteran Phoe Kay.[6][7] For his Lethwei debut, Japanese WPMF kickboxing champion Kouma faced young Myanmar fighter Yar Zar, while Thar Thae Ta Pwint was against Japanese Karate Champion Yuki Yamamoto.[8]

Lethwei in Japan 2: Legacy
Weight Class				Method	Round	Time	Notes
Bantamweight 54 kg	Yar Zar	-	Kouma Shimizu	Draw	5	5:00
Openweight 80 kg	Dave Leduc	def.	Phoe Kay	KO	2	2:32	4 knockdowns during the match
Welterweight 70 kg	Phyan Thwe	def.	Yasuyuki Yamazaki	TKO	1	1:33	3 knockdowns during one round
Welterweight 70 kg	Shan Ko	def.	Keisuke Okuda	TKO (punches)	3	3:00	Doctor stoppage (Cut)
Featherweight 64 kg	Shwe Sin Min	-	Nanae Takahashi	Draw	4	3:00
Featherweight 68 kg	Thar Thae Ta Pwint	def.	Yuki Yamamoto	TKO	1	2:19

[9][10]

For his second title defence, openweight Lethwei World Champion Dave Leduc faced Turkish Australian Adem Yilmaz[11] in traditional Lethwei rules.[12] This match was the first Lethwei world title fight headlining two non-Burmese in the sport's history. For the occasion, the Ambassador of Myanmar to Japan was present at the event held in the Korakuen Hall.[13] This event also marked the return to action of former Openweight World Champion Saw Nga Man against Japanese fighter Teruhiko Kubo.

This event featured the rematch of Thar Thae Ta Pwint vs Hikaru Hasumi. Thara The Ta Pwint ultimately won the first and second exchanged grabbing the ILFJ World Title. Also Openweight Champion Dave Leduc was supposed to face American champion Cyrus Washington, but Washington eventually pulled out of the fight citing a hand injury he sustained in training.[15] Leduc eventually defended his title for the third time against Muaythai world champion Nilmungkorn Sudsakorngym,[16] winning the ILFJ Openweight world title.[17]

Lethwei in Japan 4: Frontier
Weight Class				Method	Round	Time	Notes
Openweight 80 kg	Dave Leduc	def.	Nilmungkorn Sudsakorngym	KO	2	2:23	For the ILFJ Openweight World Championship
Featherweight 65 kg	Thar Thae Ta Pwint	def.	Hikaru Hasumi	TKO	3	2:28
Bantamweight 57 kg	Yuta Hamamoto	def.	Yar Zar	KO	3	0:42	For the ILFJ Bantamweight World Championship
Welterweight 70 kg	Phyan Thwe	def.	Kouhei Tokeshi	TKO (doctor stoppage)	4
Featherweight 64 kg	Veronika	-	Nanae Takahashi	Draw	3	3:00
Featherweight 61 kg	Julija Stoliarenko	def.	Su Hlaing Oo	KO	2	1:32
Bantamweight 60 kg	Kyar Ba Hein	def.	BAKI	TKO	4

[18][19]

For unknown reasons, Hanthar Waddy replaced Tun Lwin Moe. Muaythai Champion and Lethwei veteran Pravit Sakmuangtalang, also known by his last name Aor Piriyapinyo faced Thar Thae Ta Pwint. Former Golden Belt Champion, Win Tun came out of retirement for this fight and this event marked the implementation of weight classes like in traditional tournaments.[20]

Lethwei in Japan 5: Nexurise
Weight Class				Method	Round	Time	Notes
Bantamweight 60 kg	Hanthar Waddy Thar	-	Makoto	Draw	5	3:00
Openweight 100 kg	YABU	def.	Hartley Jackson	TKO	3	0:53
Featherweight 65 kg	Thar Thae Ta Pwint	-	Pravit Sakmuangtalang	Draw	5	3:00
Welterweight 70 kg	Phyan Thwe	def.	Hareruya	TKO	1	0:34
Welterweight 70 kg	Yan Naing Aung	def.	Tokeshi Kohei	TKO	5	2:31
Featherweight 65 kg	Win Tun	-	Hasumi Hikaru	Draw	5	3:00

[21]

Openweight champion Dave Leduc was scheduled to be on this card but due to his opponent backing out, the fight was canceled. MMA veteran Daryl Lokuku made his successful Lethwei debut. Yan Naing Aung and Tokeshi Kohei rematched after facing each other at the September event. Julija Stoliarenko faced top Lethwei fighter in Veronika and ultimately won the Japan Lethwei World Title.[20]