Combat Sports

9 min read

Who Is up Next for Dave Leduc?

Overtime Heroics Editorial

1864 days ago

Since making his World Lethwei Championship debut on August 2nd, 2019, the King of Lethwei Dave Leduc has gone from strength to strength. From showcasing his ferocious headbutts, to bringing Lethwei into people’s eyes, to broadcasting on Canal+ and UFC Fight Pass, and to his appearance on the Joe Rogan podcast.

Dave Leduc (Left) and Joe Rogan (Right). — Leduc on the Joe Rogan Experience

Leduc has made it his duty to bring the world of Lethwei into the eyes of the people. With all of the uncertainty in the world currently, one thing is for certain, we are all eagerly anticipating the next announcement of a Dave Leduc fight. Below I take a look at potential matchups that would undoubtedly have the most hardened fans on the edge of their seats.

Thiago Alves

After many years with the UFC, surprisingly Thiago Alves has parted ways with the promotion. Known for his high-pressure gameplan, his ferocious tenacity, and his slugger style of fighting in the cage, Alves has shared the cage with names such as Matt Hughes, GSP, Jon Fitch, and Carlos Condit. Also, Alves has a decision victory over Seth Bazcynski whilst at the UFC in an all-out striking war. Alves has now signed a deal with BKB and will be facing Phil Baroni in his promotional debut.

Alves and Leduc both having a win over Baczynski make for an interesting case; Leduc vs Alves would be an incredible matchup under Lethwei rules with all limbs allowed.

Check out the full fight between Leduc and Baczynski: Leduc vs Baczynski Full Fight

Joe Schilling

Schilling is a highly respected striker who has fought in memorable wars in Glory kickboxing. Now competing in Bellator, but a superfight under Lethwei rules would be the sort of challenge that would definitely be of interest for him to put on a spectacle with Leduc. In an interview with Leduc, the name of Schilling was mentioned by the interviewer and Leduc said he would happily welcome him in the Lethwei ring. “I can stop crazy”, Leduc says, which is a reference to Schilling’s motto of “Can’t Stop Crazy.”

At 1.91cm and competing at 84kg, Schilling is definitely the bigger man, as Leduc usually walks around at 80kg, but Leduc has never refused a challenge. Leduc defended his openweight title in 2017 against (92kg) heavyweight kickboxer and WKN Cruiserweight Champion Corentin Jallon in Yangon. A fight dominated by Leduc, who landed many headbutts, saying “It’s easier to headbutt taller people since their chin goes right at the level of my forehead. Lethwei favours the shorter man in close quarters. I had a way harder time to fight the shorter Burmese. Bring any tall foreigner you want, it’s easy money.” Who wouldn’t want to see Leduc vs Schilling?

Sudsakorn Sor Klinmee

Multiple-time Muaythai World Champion Sudsakorn Sor Klinmee boasts an impressive record of 351 fights with 291 wins, 74 of them coming by way of knockout. The reason why this matchup is really interesting for fight fans is that in 2017, Leduc faced and beat the top fighter from Sudsakorn’s stable, reigning 2016 & 2017 SUPER Muaythai tournament Champion Nilmungkorn Sudsakorngym at Lethwei in Japan 4 in 2017.

Leduc overwhelmed Nilmungkorn in the first round, forcing him to take his time-out, and then finished him in the second round with a knee. If the WLC is able to secure the THAI fight veteran with hopes of avenging his protégé, a matchup under Lethwei rules between 33-year-old Sudsakorn and 28-year-old Leduc would definitely be a clash that would make a die-hard fans’ mouth water.

Cyrus Washington

Of all the mentioned fights, this, in my opinion, is the most likely to happen first. A rematch with the decorated Cyrus Washington, ISKA champion, multiple-time Muay Thai champion, and Lethwei veteran.

Both men fought to a draw in 2017 in a fight that was very much in the hands of Leduc, but Washington has repeatedly asked for a rematch saying he has what it takes to take out the champion. Leduc dominated and hurt Washington badly on more than one occasion, and successfully defended his title, but Washington showed the heart, grit, and determination to get the draw.

This would be a grudge match of the highest order, with Washington happily admitting to not liking Leduc and with the draw still in people’s minds. Lethwei fans would love to see these two men go at it once more.

Check out the fight highlights from Leduc vs Washington!

Honorable Mention

Muay Thai legend Saiyok Pumpanmuang. He fought former Lethwei world champion Tun Tun Min to a draw in 2018. Saiyok needs no introduction and is no stranger to the Lethwei ring. Having family members in Myanmar may also add a reason to make the journey. The southpaw is known for his strong punches and has fought countless battles in THAI Fight Kard Chuek, which is the Muay Boran version of the promotion, fighting with ropes instead of gloves. He also won against Dave’s former friend and training partner Matthew Richardson.

What do you think of the choices?! Make sure to leave your opinions on who Dave Leduc should face next in the comments below!

Check out my Interview with Dave Leduc from earlier this year!
Related: Dave Leduc Potential Opponents

Follow me on Twitter at @JamesRees83 for more MMA news and discussions. Also, make sure to follow @OT_Heroics for all of your sporting needs. Don’t forget @MMA_OTH for all things MMA.

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Overtime Heroics Editorial

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josier brahm

1851 days ago

Saiyok is passed it. Hes been on losing streaks. Put on too much flab

2 replies

Replied 1831 days ago

I do not hate Lethwei or Dave Leduc , i am simply stating reality Read the entirety please . It is long I know but it is a knowledge based critic . So here is all the guys Dave want to fight : Thiago Alves is 36 years old lol . He is 4 years out if his prime . He got KOed 3 tumes by guy with trash striking in the UFC . His stand up credentials are a joke . Joe Schilling is 36 years old lol . He is 4 years out of his prime . Last time he fought was in 2019 in MMA and he got KOed . When he was prime he was pretty damn good but he beat lota of old men and won controversial decisions . Cyrus Washington again ?! Lol Cyrus Washington just got crushes at Thai Fight by Tengnueng very easy . Cyrus KOed Tun Tun Min twice and Demolished Saw Nga Mann that's it . Cyrus was never an elite fighter , he lose KOed first round to an almost retired Kaoklai Kaenorasing . Lose destroyed by Chike Lindsey . Lost schooled by Nieky Holzken . Lost outclassed and cut by a fossil Jomhod Kiatadisak . Lost to Cosmo Alexandre . Lost to Too Too but very hard and competitive fight . After that Cyrus was done and he lose KO first round to Tun Tun Min in third fight . Then Dave crush what is left of him . Cyrus is on steroid right , he has been retired for Years and now just made a comeback that got himself demolished by Tengnueng . Dave fighting Cyrus again is a joke fight . Sudsakorn Sor Klinmee ?!?! Ah haha hah!!! I spoke to his wife , she said he only fight for cheap money nowadays . Sudsakorn is 5 years out of his prime . He fought 34 time since his prime ended ( when he badly lost to Youssef Boughanem ) . Dave fight once a year while Sudsakorn fight 34 times in 5 year for money or else he done . Sudsakorn in 5 years lost to Chingiz Allazov twice destroyed , Massoud Minei , Islam Murtazaev , Autoine Pinto , Jimmy Viennot , Vasil Sorokin , Mohammad Gahedi , Zheng Zhaoyu , Magomed Zainukov and Han Feilong . He hasn't beaten anyone elite during this time frame except for maybe Oleksander Moisa and Magnus Anderson . Also Sudsakorn is 72,5-73 KG , Dave is 79-84 KG lol . Dave KOing Nilmungkorn mean next to nothing . Nikmungkorn was a week notice and first time at 80 KG and in Lethwei . Nilmungkorn got destroyed by Jimmy Viennot and Samy Banchameck by KO very easy . He lost KO to lots of no name guys like Nicholas Jittigym , recently to Mamuka Usubyan at Fair Fight . Saiyok ???? Lol he is ridiculously out of his prime lol . He injured his knee in 2012 , after that he still looked great and beat top tier guys for several years until late 2016 where he begin to lose to both elite and average guys like Zhang Kaiyin , Ben Hodge , Youssef Boughanem , Sun Weiquiang , Chingiz Allazov , Raphael Yiodra , Youssed El Hadmi , Chanajon PKSaenchai , Han Feilong and Vitaly Gurkov . Nowadays anyone can beat Saiyok , he isn't even top 25 best Thai at 70 KG . Funny that against Tun Tun Min Saiyok must move from 70-74 KG to 80 KG first time this fat , go up against GOAT Lethwei who is also 9 YEARS younger than him . Still Saiyok easily beat Tun Tun Min if there's scoring . Tun Tun Min lost easily everyone saw that . Myanmar promoter are jealous that Saiyok destroyed Kya Lin Aung in Kard Chuek and just beat mega star Yi Long ( who is overrated ) by KO first easy very easy . Burma dream that a Burmese Lethwei might KO Yi Long but that is impossible . So Burma promoter pay Saiyok and beg him to fight at 80 KG first time in his life because they know that at 70-74 KG Saiyok can kill best Burmese like Soe Lin Oo , Shwe Yar Mann , Phyan Thway , Tway Thit Win Hliang , Saw Gaw Mu Do and Too Too very easily . Lastly Saiyok KOing Mathew Rickardson mean nothing , Mathew got destroyed by Sudsakorn , Too Too and Tun Tun Min Among other . He was always a bum . Dave wanting old man trash UFC striker Tiago Alves , retired fossil Joe Schilling , very old Cyrus Washington , very old 73 KG Sudsakorn and very old 75 KG Saiyok is just prove that Dave will never be a world class legit striker like those GLORY guys . Also he wants to fight old man 72 KG Buakaw and overrated 70 KG past his prime Yi Long is laughable . Make Dave fight Tengnueng , old Simon Marcus and Fan Bieng if he crush them then he should be considered top 25 at 80-84 KG striker in the world . Dave is the most overrated stand up fighter in the world uo there with Conor McGregor ( Who Dave idolize lol ) . Please reply back let me know what you think .

Replied 1831 days ago

do not hate Lethwei or Dave Leduc , i am simply stating reality Read the entirety please . It is long I know but it is a knowledge based critic . So here is all the guys Dave want to fight : Thiago Alves is 36 years old lol . He is 4 years out if his prime . He got KOed 3 tumes by guy with trash striking in the UFC . His stand up credentials are a joke . Joe Schilling is 36 years old lol . He is 4 years out of his prime . Last time he fought was in 2019 in MMA and he got KOed . When he was prime he was pretty damn good but he beat lota of old men and won controversial decisions . Cyrus Washington again ?! Lol Cyrus Washington just got crushes at Thai Fight by Tengnueng very easy . Cyrus KOed Tun Tun Min twice and Demolished Saw Nga Mann that's it . Cyrus was never an elite fighter , he lose KOed first round to an almost retired Kaoklai Kaenorasing . Lose destroyed by Chike Lindsey . Lost schooled by Nieky Holzken . Lost outclassed and cut by a fossil Jomhod Kiatadisak . Lost to Cosmo Alexandre . Lost to Too Too but very hard and competitive fight . After that Cyrus was done and he lose KO first round to Tun Tun Min in third fight . Then Dave crush what is left of him . Cyrus is on steroid right , he has been retired for Years and now just made a comeback that got himself demolished by Tengnueng . Dave fighting Cyrus again is a joke fight . Sudsakorn Sor Klinmee ?!?! Ah haha hah!!! I spoke to his wife , she said he only fight for cheap money nowadays . Sudsakorn is 5 years out of his prime . He fought 34 time since his prime ended ( when he badly lost to Youssef Boughanem ) . Dave fight once a year while Sudsakorn fight 34 times in 5 year for money or else he done . Sudsakorn in 5 years lost to Chingiz Allazov twice destroyed , Massoud Minei , Islam Murtazaev , Autoine Pinto , Jimmy Viennot , Vasil Sorokin , Mohammad Gahedi , Zheng Zhaoyu , Magomed Zainukov and Han Feilong . He hasn't beaten anyone elite during this time frame except for maybe Oleksander Moisa and Magnus Anderson . Also Sudsakorn is 72,5-73 KG , Dave is 79-84 KG lol . Dave KOing Nilmungkorn mean next to nothing . Nikmungkorn was a week notice and first time at 80 KG and in Lethwei . Nilmungkorn got destroyed by Jimmy Viennot and Samy Banchameck by KO very easy . He lost KO to lots of no name guys like Nicholas Jittigym , recently to Mamuka Usubyan at Fair Fight . Saiyok ???? Lol he is ridiculously out of his prime lol . He injured his knee in 2012 , after that he still looked great and beat top tier guys for several years until late 2016 where he begin to lose to both elite and average guys like Zhang Kaiyin , Ben Hodge , Youssef Boughanem , Sun Weiquiang , Chingiz Allazov , Raphael Yiodra , Youssed El Hadmi , Chanajon PKSaenchai , Han Feilong and Vitaly Gurkov . Nowadays anyone can beat Saiyok , he isn't even top 25 best Thai at 70 KG . Funny that against Tun Tun Min Saiyok must move from 70-74 KG to 80 KG first time this fat , go up against GOAT Lethwei who is also 9 YEARS younger than him . Still Saiyok easily beat Tun Tun Min if there's scoring . Tun Tun Min lost easily everyone saw that . Myanmar promoter are jealous that Saiyok destroyed Kya Lin Aung in Kard Chuek and just beat mega star Yi Long ( who is overrated ) by KO first easy very easy . Burma dream that a Burmese Lethwei might KO Yi Long but that is impossible . So Burma promoter pay Saiyok and beg him to fight at 80 KG first time in his life because they know that at 70-74 KG Saiyok can kill best Burmese like Soe Lin Oo , Shwe Yar Mann , Phyan Thway , Tway Thit Win Hliang , Saw Gaw Mu Do and Too Too very easily . Lastly Saiyok KOing Mathew Rickardson mean nothing , Mathew got destroyed by Sudsakorn , Too Too and Tun Tun Min Among other . He was always a bum . Dave wanting old man trash UFC striker Tiago Alves , retired fossil Joe Schilling , very old Cyrus Washington , very old 73 KG Sudsakorn and very old 75 KG Saiyok is just prove that Dave will never be a world class legit striker like those GLORY guys . Also he wants to fight old man 72 KG Buakaw and overrated 70 KG past his prime Yi Long is laughable . Make Dave fight Tengnueng , old Simon Marcus and Fan Bieng if he crush them then he should be considered top 25 at 80-84 KG striker in the world . Dave is the most overrated stand up fighter in the world uo there with Conor McGregor ( Who Dave idolize lol ) . Please reply back let me know what you think