PINAY Muay Thai star Islay Erika Bomogao is the complete package, and ONE Championship sees her potential.
That's why, despite her young career, she's walking into Lumpinee Stadium for her 103-pound Muay Thai clash against Nerea Rubio as an already-contracted main roster fighter in the featured bout of ONE Friday Fights 102 this March 28 in Bangkok, Thailand.
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Her skills alongside her charisma and personality make her the perfect face for the Filipino striking movement. She appeals to the younger generation with her vibrant personality and to purists with her ferocity inside the ring.
Despite the added responsibility and expectations that come with being a main roster fighter, Bomogao is up to the task.
"Being an athlete for years, I've been through a lot already. So pressure is something I know how to handle well," she said.
"I've got an amazing team and family who constantly remind me of my potential and to just focus."
The 24-year-old was thrown into the fire following an impressive amateur run as the top-ranked IFMA fighter in her weight class, while winning several striking medals in the Southeast Asian Games.
But that didn't seem to faze her as she delivered two impressive performances in her transition to the pro ranks, with clear decision wins over Japan's Fuu and China's Ran Longshu.
Bomogao, though, believes she's only beginning to scratch the surface of her potential.
"I'm honestly still getting the hang of it. I've been playing amateur for years and so the transition to pro is quite challenging," she said.
"However, with every fight, I'm able to adjust, adjust, adjust and improve."
That's why it wouldn't be surprising for her to take the next step in her promising young career — score a highlight-reel finish.
"My goal is to just execute our game plan from round one to three,” she said. “But when I get the chance to finish her, I will."
Joining Bomogao on the card are two finishing specialists in Marwin "Green Goblin" Quirante, who takes on Torepchi Dongak in a strawweight MMA bout, and Jean Claude "The Dynamite" Saclag, who meets Shazada Ataev in a flyweight MMA contest.
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