Wyoming Combat Sports Commission

Mixed Martial Arts, Board of

Chapter 16: Lethwei

Effective Date: 04/20/2026 to Current

Rule Type: Current Rules & Regulations

Reference Number: 046.0001.16.04202026

Chapter 16

Lethwei

Section 1. Authority. These rules are promulgated under the Commission's authority under Wyoming Statute §§ 33-48-101(g) and 33-48-111.

Section 2. Bout Requirements.

(a) Each bout of lethwei shall be at least three (3) rounds but no more than seven (7) rounds. Each round shall be no more than three (3) minutes in length, with one (1) minute rest periods between rounds. The Commission or Commission Representative may approve rest periods up to two (2) minutes.

(b) A bout may be adjudged a technical knockout to the credit of the winner if the bout is terminated because a contestant meets any of the following conditions:

1. (i) Is unable to continue;
2. (ii) Is not honestly competing;
3. (iii) Is injured;
4. (iv) Is disqualified; or
5. (v) Shows timidity.

Section 3. Tactics Deemed Fouls. The following tactics shall be deemed fouls:

1. (a) Eye gouging of any kind.
2. (b) Biting or spitting at an opponent.
3. (c) Hair pulling.
4. (d) Fish hooking.
5. (e) Groin attacks of any kind.
6. (f) Intentionally putting a finger in any opponent's orifice (includes laceration).
7. (g) Small joint manipulation.

8. (h) Strikes to spine or back of the head.

9. (i) Throat strikes of any kind (includes grabbing trachea).

10. (j) Clawing, pinching, or twisting the flesh.
11. (k) Striking or attacking a downed fighter.
12. (l) Holding the cage or ring.
13. (m) The use of abusive language in fenced area or ring.
14. (n) Any unsportsmanlike conduct that causes an injury to a fighter.
15. (o) Attacking an opponent during a break which includes attacking after the bell has sounded at the end of a round.
16. (p) Attacking an opponent under the referee's care.
17. (q) Timidity (avoiding contact, intentional and/or consistent dropping of mouthpiece or faking an injury).
18. (r) Corner interference.
19. (s) Throwing opponent out of fenced area/ring.
20. (t) Flagrant disregard of the referee's instructions.
21. (u) Applying any foreign substance to the hair or body to gain an advantage.
22. (v) Fingers outstretched toward an opponent's face or eyes.
23. (w) Using the ropes to gain an advantage over the opponent;
24. (x) Pushing the opponent around the ring or into the ropes;
25. (y) Take downs; and
26. (z) Engaging in any other action not described in this subsection that is deemed an intentional foul by the referee on the basis that the action poses a danger to the safety of either contestant, impedes fair and competitive play, or is unsportsmanlike.

Section 4. Lethwei Specific Equipment.

(a) Hands shall be wrapped with gauze and athletic tape that ends no closer than one (1) inch from the fighter's knuckles. The wrap must include the wrist and may travel up to three (3) inches past the junction of the wrist bone.

(b) Gauze may be applied to the wrist, palm of the hand, back of the hand, and thumb. The length of gauze to be utilized may not exceed a length of ten (10) feet per hand.

(c) Tape may be applied to the wrist, palm of the hand, back of the hand, and thumb. The tape shall not be greater than one (1) inch in width and shall not exceed ten (10) feet in length per hand.

(d) At the sole discretion of the Commission Representative, traditional Lethwei hand wraps may be allowed as an alternative.

(e) All contestants shall wear a dental appliance or mouthpiece that has been individually fitted and approved by the Commission or Commission Representative.

(f) All contestants shall wear a groin protector, which shall protect the contestant against injury from a foul blow. Contestants may also choose to wear an abdominal protector or pelvic girdle if they so desire, but such equipment shall not be required. If used, the abdominal protector shall not cover or extend above the umbilicus.

(g) All female contestants shall wear a sports bra. Female contestants may wear a plastic breast protector.

(h) The belt of the shorts shall not extend above the waistline. Shorts shall be without pockets or openings and shall be subject to approval by the Commission Representative.

(i) Contestants shall not use any cosmetic when competing.

(j) Contestant’s fingernails and thumbnails shall not extend past the tip of the fingers and thumbs.

Section 5. Lethwei Scoring Criteria. All bouts shall be scored following the criteria established in Chapter 11. The Commission or Commission Representative may, however, approve an alternate scoring criteria. The scoring criteria must be determined and approved by the Commission or Commission Representative prior to the bout and this scoring criteria must be announced prior to the bout.