WHEN Islay Erika Bomogao makes her debut in ONE Friday Fights, it’s going to be an extra special day for her.
Competing at Lumpinee Stadium, of course, is every Muay Thai fighter’s dream. And she’ll get to do that when she battles Japan’s Fuu in a 100-pound catchweight bout at ONE Friday Fights 86 on November 8 in Bangkok, Thailand.
But other than that, she’s going to be celebrating her 24th birthday on the very same day she makes her long-awaited ONE.
"I’m very excited. If I win it will be the best birthday ever for me,” she said.
It wasn’t long ago when Bomogao could only dream of competing in the promotion.
In one of her training camps in Thailand with the Philippine National Team in 2018, Bomogao saw one of her teammates get the chance to compete inside the “Mecca of Muay Thai,” and she told herself that one day she’d do the same.
“This will be very fulfilling. I manifested this before, to compete in Lumpinee. Back in 2018, we were in Thailand at that time for foreign training for two months. One of our seniors back then was given an offer to fight in Lumpinee Stadium,” she said.
“I told myself back then, ‘One day, I’m going to compete there as well.’ Now here I am, I’m now going to compete there.”
The Team Bagsik representative will have a lot of catching up to do, though, as despite being a stand-out amateur Muay Thai fighter, she has very little experience in the pro ranks.
READ: Islay Bomogao set for massive leap in ONE Friday Fights debut
There will be some major adjustments for her, especially competing in ONE Championship’s 4-ounce MMA gloves for Muay Thai.
“Right now, I’m catching up on everything. I spar without headgear now, I’m familiarizing myself with the 4-ounce gloves as well,” she said.
“I’m basically pushing myself hard to get out of my amateur level comfort zone.”
Instead of feeling pressured to face a more experienced opponent, she looks at this fight as the start of her journey in Muay Thai.
“I believe in manifesting, and I see this fight with me getting my hands raised. I’ve been working on my hands, and who knows what will happen in 4-ounce gloves? I think I can get a knockout,” she said.
“To all my fans, this is it. I’m here now and I’m so excited. I appreciate all your support, your messages, and everything. To everyone who hasn’t watched me fight yet, please tune in. I’m going to do my best. I hope I make everybody proud.”
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