Myanmar anti-coup MMA fighter Phoe Thaw still alive after military abduction following bomb blast
- SCMP MMA understands ONE Championship featherweight has not died of injuries nor at hands of the junta, having been arrested in hospital
- Outspoken ‘Bushido’ suffered severe burns all over his body with bomb reportedly planted outside his gym by undercover policeman
Warning: graphic content follows
Myanmar anti-coup MMA fighter Phoe Thaw is still alive after being arrested in hospital and detained by the military, SCMP MMA understands.
The ONE Championship featherweight (8-2) was seriously injured in a bomb blast at his Yangon-based gym last week, suffering severe burns and lacerations all over his body. Thaw has been an outspoken critic of the military junta, protesting in the streets after it removed Aung San Suu Kyi and her democratically-elected government in a February 1 coup.
He was taken to the nearby North Okkalpa General Hospital to undergo an operation but was then abducted and taken into custody by military officials, who charged him under section 505 (a) of the Penal Code, which labels him as a “criminal” and “unlawful person” for taking part in anti-coup activities.
The military said Thaw was injured in an accident while testing a home-made bomb, but Reuters reported sources close to the 36-year-old saying a device was planted in the car park of the gym by a policeman posing as a civilian. BJPenn.com reported another source saying Thaw had been concerned after seeing people loitering and taking pictures outside his gym in the days leading up to the explosion.
“Bushido” – who last fought in an October 2019 loss to South Korea’s Chang Min-yoon – had been pictured during the protests holding a sign challenging army general Min Aung Hlaing to a fight. “Dare to fight inside the cage!” read his message.
