Flying Headbutt
Flying headbutt, one of seven types of head strikes in lethwei, where — unlike in muay thai — they are permitted.
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The flying, or jumping, headbutt is one of seven types of head strike distinguished in lethwei: forward, upward, side, clinch, flying (jumping), charging, and downward. In head strikes, fighters drive the forehead into the opponent's face, nose, or eye socket, and use them mainly in the clinch at short range. Under the rules, the head strike is permitted in lethwei without special restrictions, which sets it apart from muay thai and from most MMA rule sets, where it is banned. This is why lethwei is called the art of nine limbs: besides the two fists, two elbows, two knees, and two feet, it also includes the head, while muay thai is the art of eight limbs. The legal head strike also changes the nature of the clinch, which elsewhere is limited to elbows and knees. According to a source, the inclusion of the head strike reflects lethwei's military roots. We have not been able to document exactly how the jumping variant is performed or who introduced it.