Women’s War Face: the Bloody Female Fighter Face – New Beauty

Women's War Face - The Bloodied Female Face-w800

Women’s War Face

the Bloody Female Muay Thai Fighter Face – New Beauty

[the blog post on the thinking behind this page] – this page was begun June, 2014

There should be more bloodied female fighter face photos, but there aren’t. In fact, in a largely the male-shaped fight media (produced and audienced) there has been something of an absence of the bloodied female fighter face. Some of this is because women are discouraged from activities where their faces may be bloodied, so there are fewer images to be found, but some of this is editorial choice.  Whereas the male face is depicted bloodied and bruised post-fight as a badge of manliness and strength, the female fighter’s damaged face does not often receive this same treatment – in fact, women are often depicted in stark opposition to the damage associated with fighting.  Instead we get repeated images of women in make up and with belts, even in bikinis with belts or with fighting equipment (gloves, wraps, title belts) utilized to cover bare breasts rather than for their utilitarian purposes. There is nothing wrong with these beautiful images in isolation, except in the way that they may isolate and limit women who find meaning in female fighting. Media decision-makers (from website owners to television producers and fight productions) have been afraid of the bloodied female face to some degree, afraid that too much of this blemished face will put audiences off, and keep their sports from growing.  Before the first female MMA bout on US television aired, there was talk that America wasn’t “ready” to see women hitting each other and/or bleeding in a cage. The bloodied female face is seen by this general public as excessive, ultra-violent and ultimately unattractive or as a strong image of victimization. We fighters, on the other hand, believe that the bloodied female face instead symbolizes the female fighter’s commitment, the possibility of blood and scarring being far from what society and gender role norms choose for us. The blood represents the fighter’s choice. The bleeding face may be the female fighter at her most honest moment, when she shows injury not as an adornment, but as a consequence of her endeavor. Notably, the photographed female fighter face is one of the few times a woman who is obviously injured is not a victim. The bloodied female fighter face is beautiful.  It is strength.

Of all sports, in particular with full rules Muay Thai with the weapon of elbows in full employ, where the cut is strategically used to end fights, the cut announces women to be on the same footing as the men whose bloodied faces are far more celebrated and embraced as an image that symbolizes toughness. This page is devoted to recording the female Muay Thai fighter faces that have been bloodied, faces that are not (yet) embraced as those of men. The hope is that this collection of faces will prove unique and in some small part changing of what is acceptable in athletic female beauty.  We are expanding the aesthetic.

For more on the thoughts behind this this page, read my blog post. If a Muay Thai fighter would like to submit a photo or photos of themselves (or even video) for our wall of blood we would love to have it!  (At this point we are only accepting self-submissions.  It’s important that these photos are personal expressions of the fighter, herself.) Just send your name, the photo, the date, opponent and location (if possible) to sylvie@8limbs.us. A portion of these photos/clips are from me, simply because I fight a lot and in forward clinch style (84 stitches), but the more faces we have together, the greater the celebration, the faster the change.

The photos are more or less of fights in reverse chronological order.

(above) Yodying Ratbracha 15 Gym, Thapae Chiang Mai July 20th, 2019

(above) Kerrianne McKay vs Parris Burtenshaw Epic Promotion, 6th July 2019 – Perth, Australia

(above) Sylvie von Duuglas-Ittu vs Balmy A. Santipunt-Lamphun June 27th, 2019 – Thapae Stadium, Chiang Mai, Thailand

May 24th, Thapae Stadium – Somtiya Bor. Puipunput vs ? (photographer Tiger Nop)

Liz Earp on Futures 8. In Mandurah Western Australia.  July 21, 2018 against Kerrianne McKay

Champ Victoria for this Aussie souvenir at Ignition Muay Thai, Perth Australia 290418

Nissa Niazi vs Victoria Callaghan, Ignition Muay Thai, Perth, Australia – April 18, 2018

Sylvie von Duuglas-Ittu vs Phetyodying Mor. Ratchapatjombueng - Kard Chuek - December 29, 2017 - Suphanburi, Thailand

Sylvie von Duuglas-Ittu vs Phetyodying Mor. Ratchapatjombueng – Kard Chuek – December 29, 2017 – Suphanburi, Thailand

Sylvie von Duuglas-Ittu vs Thaksaporn Intachai - Kard Chuek - November 25, 2017 Prachinburi, Thailand

Sylvie von Duuglas-Ittu vs Thaksaporn Intachai – Kard Chuek – November 25, 2017 Prachinburi, Thailand

Sylvie bloodied Face - stoic

Sylvie von Duuglas-Ittu vs Nong Biew – Thepprasit Stadium, Pattaya. November 14th, 2017 – photo by Tom Brown

Christina Team Quest v. Natonrin RR Gila Lampang - November 9th, 2017

Christina Team Quest v. Natonrin RR Gila Lampang – November 9th, 2017 – Thaphae Stadium, Chiang Mai – photo by Tiger Nop

May 5, 2017 – Sylvie von Duuglas-Ittu vs Thaonchanok Kaewsamrit – Thapae Stadium, Chiang Mai, Thailand

Buagaew ss Chiangmai April 28 2017 Thapae vs. Karla Santai (1)

Buagaew Sor. Sor. Chiangmai April 28 2017 Thapae Stadium, Chiang Mai Thailand vs. Karla Santai

Kaitlin vs Claire

(above) Claire Baxter vs Kaitlin Young – Mecca IX, Canterbury Park Expo Center, Minnesota, USA – March 4th, 2017

Jeri Sitzes Lion Fight

above, Jeri Sitzes vs Andra Aho – Lion Fight 35 – March 3rd, 2017 – Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Conn, USA

saifaa vs yolanda

Saifaa Sor. Suparat vs Yolanda Schmidt – Thapae Stadium, Chiang Mai, Thailand – February 27th, 2017

Sawsing vs Candice 2

above, Sawsing Sor. Sopit vs Candice Mitchell – January 28, 2017 – Hua Hin, Thailand

Sylvie Fight 170 vs Nang Hong

Sylvie Petchrungruang vs Nang Hong Liangprasert, Thappae Stadium, Chaing Mai Thailand – January 7, 2017

Modt Daeng - Bloody Female Face with Opponent-001

Modt Daeng - Bloody Female Face Photo - seated-004

(above) Mod Daeng Cherng Talay Muay Thai vs Lola (Rosa?) Tiger Muay Thai at Chalong Boxing Stadium in Phuket, Thailand April 5th, 2016. 15 stitches

145 feminism bloody fight photo - muay Thai fight doctor-001

Bloody in fight

Sylvie von Duuglas-Ittu vs Duangdaonoi Looklongtan – March 17, 2016 Ayutthaya, Thailand – photo by LordK2

Teresa Wintermyr - Bloody Face Photo in the Corner-002

Teresa Wintermyr - Bloody Face Female Photo-001

Teresa vs NungNing Sitsongpeenong and the fight was at Bangla Stadium in Patong, Phuket, Thailand on Fri March 11, 2016

Bloodied Face - Jorina Baars vs Martina Jindrova Lion Fight-w1400

Jorina Baars vs. Martina Jindrova, Lion Fight 25, October 23, 2015 – Pechanga Resort & Casino Temecula, Calif

Find Jorina Baars on Facebook here.

Sylvie von Duuglas-Ittu Victory - Muay Thai

Sylvie von Duuglas-Ittu vs Rungnapa Por. Muangphet – October 20th, 2015, Thepprasit Stadium – Pattaya, Thailand

Photo credit Tom Brown: Muaythaiaction.com

Sylvie von Duuglas-Ittu vs. Baifern Bor. Puiboonput – October 7th, 2015 – Thapae Stadium, Chiang Mai, Thailand you can see the full fight video and read its blog post here.

Bernise Alldis vs Tiffany van Soest - Bloody Fight

Bernise Alldis vs Tiffany van Soest – May 22nd, 2015, Lion Fight 22 – Henderson, Nevada

You can see the full Alldis vs van Soest fight video here.

Gemma Pike - Bloody face - cut

Gemma AKA Muay Thai (Pike) vs Tanya Elite Fight Club – May 2, 2015 – Sai Nam Yen Stadium (Patong, Phuket)

above, full fight video here: Gemma AKA vs Tanya Elite Fight Club – Gemma’s blog post on the fight: Fight 18 – find Gemma AKA Pike on Facebook

Tanya Merrett vs Bernise Alldise - Bloodied Face - cut 2

Tanya Merrett vs Bernise Alldis – YOKKAO 13 Saturday 21st March 2015, Bolton (UK).

You can see the full Merrett vs Alldis fight video here

Natalie Jane vs Yolanda Schmidt

Nat “The Storm” Edwards vs Yolanda Schmidt – Road to Rebellion 4 at The Red Scooter on March 20, 2015 in Melbourne, VIC Australia

You can find Nat “The Storm” Edwards on Facebook here.

Gentiane AAA Lupi vs Carleigh Angry Lady Crawford - March 15 2015 Domination 14 Jarrahdale Rec. Centre Byford Perth W.A.

Gentiane AAA Lupi vs Carleigh Angry Lady Crawford – March 15 2015 Domination 14 Jarrahdale Rec. Centre Byford Perth W.A.

Melissa Reaume vs Nong Ying - Kalare Stadium-w800

Melissa Reaume vs Nong Ying Phettonpung – Kalare Stadium, Chiang Mai, Thailand – March 6th, 2015

Melissa Reaume Bloodied Face-w1400

Melissa Reaume vs Nong Ying Phettonpung – Kalare Stadium, Chiang Mai, Thailand – March 6th, 2015

You can see the full Melissa Reaume vs Nong Ying Phettonpung fight video here. And you can follow Melissa on her Facebook Page here.

Sylvie von Duuglas-ittu vs Gaewdaa Por. Muangpet - February 22, 2015 – Chacheroensao, Thailand

Sylvie von Duuglas-ittu vs Gaewdaa Por. Muangpet – February 22, 2015 – Chacheroensao, Thailand

you can see the bloodied, happy exit video, the walk to stitches here:

and read the blog post on the fight

Kimmy Law vs Claire Foreman - Bloody Female Face - William Luu

Claire “Fury” Foreman vs Kimberly Law – Warriors Way – November 7 (2014) in Melbourne Australia

the above photo was taken by William Luu.  You can follow him on Instagram here, or check out his photography in his website: williamluu.com.au.

Juliana Rosa vs Leonie Macks - King Narsuwan show - bloodied cut

Juliana Rosa vs Leonie Macks – King Naresuan Show – May 15th, 2014 – Australia

You can find Juliana Rosa on Facebook here.

Alexis Rufus vs Christi Brereton (UK), February 22, 2014

Alexis Rufus vs Christi Brereton (UK), February 22, 2014

Sawsing - Bloody Female Fight Face-001

Feb 15, 2014 Santai Festival in San Khampaeng, Thailand – Sawsing Sor. Sophit vs Farida Okiko Tiger Muay Thai

Aleide Lawant vs Miriam Nakamoto - WBC Muay Thai Lightweight Championship

Aleide Lawant vs Miriam Nakamoto – WBC Muay Thai Lightweight Championship – Temecula, California. August 24, 2013 – photo: Josephine Runneboom/PhotoJoto

photo credit: Josephine Runneboom

Miriam Nakamoto vs Aleide Lawant - WBC Championship Muay Thai

Aleide Lawant vs Miriam Nakamoto – WBC Muay Thai Lightweight Championship – Temecula, California. August 24, 2013

Alexis Rufus vs Mesa Tor Buamas (TH) on 11 August 2011, Queens Cup in Bangkok

Alexis Rufus vs Mesa Tor Buamas (TH) on 11 August 2011, Queens Cup in Bangkok

Misty Sutherland-Kolozetti vs Jeri Sitzes

Misty Sutherland-Kolozetti vs Jeri Sitzes – Primm, NV – USA. – Aug. 12, 2011 Lion Fight Promotions

Marija Malenica (Croatia, 2009) - bloodied face

Marija Malenica vs (Croatia) – Croatia (2009)

Natasha Sky - Bloodied Face Muay Thai

Natasha O’Neil (Sky) vs Sarah O’Connell (Hannay) – August 2010 – Gold Coast, Australia

Natasha Sky on FacebookHer blog post on the fight here

Whitney Tobin vs Freya Thompson - face cut - wellington nz

Whitney Tobin vs Freya Thompson – June 21st – Wellington NZ

Victoria Lomax - bloodied face - War Face - vs Lucy Payne

Victoria Lomax vs Lucy Payne

Victoria Lomax vs Lucy Payne

Victoria Lomax vs Lucy Payne

Rebecca Dottellis vs (Thai) - Pattaya Boxing World, Pattaya - October 2013

Rebecca Dottellis vs (Thai) – Pattaya Boxing World, Pattaya – October 2013

Chaweng Stadium, Koh Samui (2013) Dutch - Miriam Humming Bird Tio

Miriam Humming Bird Tio vs (Dutch) – Chaweng Stadium, Koh Samui, Thailand (Summer, 2013)

Kristie Ryder - Muay Thai bloodied face - Women's War Face

Kristie Ryder – Chiang Mai, Thailand (2009)

Sylvie von Duuglas-Ittu vs Bai Fern - female bloodied Face - War Face

Sylvie von Duuglas-Ittu vs Baifern Bor. Puiboonput – May 18th, 2014 – Chiang Mai, Thailand

Sylvie von Duuglas-Ittu - Lommanee Yokkao - Women's War Face - Bloodied Face

Sylvie von Duuglas-Ittu vs Lommanee Sor. Hirun – Feb 19, 2014 – Pattaya Boxing World, Pattaya, Thailand

What it Means to Bleed - Muay Thai - Sylvie von Duuglas-Ittu

Sylvie von Duuglas-Ittu vs Lommanee Sor. Hirun – Feb 19, 2014 – Pattaya Boxing World – Pattaya, Thailand

As mentioned at top, as a fighter who has fought over 100 times in Thailand, and a muay khao clinch fighter, I’m going to have more than my fair share of bloody photos. My stitch count is up to 88 (as of 5/2016). The bloody fight above (2/2014), and the public reaction to it, was one of the first moments that really got me thinking about the female face and blood.

The Women’s War Face Album on Facebook

This is a Facebook album which mirrors the page of female Muay Thai fighter’s bloodied faces: http://bit.ly/1mqEW34 ….

Posted by Sylvie von Duuglas-Ittu – Muay Thai on Friday, July 4, 2014