AFTER a highly successful amateur Muay Thai career, Islay Erika Bomogao will now move on to something grander.
Bomogao enters the ultimate proving ground for ONE Championship’s rising stars against Fuu in a 100-pound catchweight Muay Thai bout at ONE Friday Fights 86 on November 8 inside Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
The 23-year-old Bomogao is considered one of the fastest rising combat sports stars in the Philippines. And she matches her tenacity inside the ring with a charismatic and charming personality outside of it.
She’s already won a couple of Southeast Asian Games gold medals and was named the top-ranked Muay Thai amateur in the world in the 45-kilogram division.
Now, she’s out to prove that she can fly the flag for the country on the biggest stage for Muay Thai – ONE Championship.
“I really dreamed of this opportunity. It wasn’t too long ago when I was just watching Team Lakay back then, and it’s really one of my dreams,” Bomogao said.
“Being able to achieve this today and be in this position, I’m very fulfilled.”
Being the first homegrown fighter to compete in ONE Championship’s all-striking division certainly has its perks, but she also sees it as a big responsibility.
It’s a responsibility she plans on taking seriously. After all, she hopes to break further ground not only for herself, but for young Muay Thai fighters in the Philippines.
“I feel happy, and of course there’s pressure being the first homegrown fighter to represent the Philippines in Muay Thai for ONE Championship,” she said.
“Making a first impression is very important, especially those who are looking to follow my footsteps into professional Muay Thai,” she added. “There’s pressure because I want to pave the way for all the Muay Thai fighters in the Philippines.”
Joining Bomogao on the card are two of the best rising stars in the country as Team Lakay’s Carlos Alvarez and T-Rex MMA’s Fritz Biagtan return to action.
Alvarez takes on Mirza Aliev in a featherweight MMA bout while Biagtan battles Sayedali Asli in a flyweight MMA contest.
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