MMA fighter Phoe Thaw accused of making bombs after injured in blast near Yangon gym

Photo: One Championship
Photo: One Championship

Soldiers took One Championship featherweight fighter Phoe Thaw from the Yangon hospital where he was admitted after a bomb exploded near his dojo.

The 36-year-old MMA fighter was in junta custody Friday on accusations he was building bombs at his Bahan Township gym after several exploded there. He was taken from his bed at North Okkalapa General Hospital about 3am yesterday where he was being treated for serious leg burns.

A report on military-owned Myawaddy TV said the bomb exploded Wednesday night while he was setting it. Two other bombs went off that night in the same area around Kandawgyi Park.

Photographs that appeared to show Phoe Thaw with badly burned legs have been circulating on social media. The police force said in a statement that a hand grenade was found in the car transporting him to the hospital. Three other youths have been arrested in connection with the blast, including his brother, football player Kaung Si Thu.

Phoe Thaw has gone 8-2 since his One Championship debut in 2015. He teaches mixed martial arts at his Team PT gym.

Rumors that he died this afternoon could not be confirmed.

Phoe Thaw was among celebrities who have opposed the coup. Last week, another fighter, former One Championship heavyweight and middleweight champion Aung La Nsang, also spoke out against the coup.

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