ONE Championship’s Aung La N Sang speaks up for detained Myanmar anti-coup MMA fighter Phoe Thaw
- ‘Bushido’ Thaw seriously injured with severe burns all over his body from Yangon bomb blast this week before being arrested by military in hospital
- ‘I’m saddened by the news about my good friend … he’s a gentleman and a good hearted human being … I pray for your safety,’ says N Sang
Warning: graphic content follows
ONE Championship’s Aung La N Sang has spoken out in defence of Phoe Thaw after his fellow Burmese mixed martial arts fighter was detained by the military in Myanmar.
The 36-year-old featherweight (8-2) was seriously injured in a bomb blast in the country’s capitol, Yangon, on Wednesday, suffering severe burns and lacerations over most of his body. He was taken for treatment at the nearby North Okkalpa General Hospital but was reportedly then abducted by the military after undergoing an operation.
The junta’s Myawaddy TV later claimed Thaw was arrested in hospital after sustaining injuries while testing a home-made bomb at his Yangon-based gym, Team PT.
Tom Taylor of BJPenn.com reported sources close to Thaw saying that was not true, and that Thaw had been concerned after several strangers turned up at his gym to take photos earlier in the week.
Thaw has been charged under section 505 (a) of the Penal Code which brands him as a “criminal” and “unlawful person” for taking part in anti-coup activities.