Former Muay Thai world champion Islay Erika Bomogao has joined the ONE Championship, the biggest stage in mixed martial arts, expressing her excitement about being welcomed into its ranks.
In a Facebook post last Thursday, October 24, Bomogao celebrated her dream coming true, saying, “Yep. I finally made it to ONE Championship.” The 23-year-old University of Baguio graduate shared a photo of herself wearing ONE gear, including Fairtex shorts.
Congratulations poured in from fellow fighters across various sports disciplines, celebrating this new chapter in her fighting career. ONE Championship has not yet scheduled a fight for the petite athlete.
After just one day, Bomogao’s post already had over 5,300 likes, 308 shares, and 431 comments, including those from Philippine national kickboxers Claudine Veloso, Daryl Chulipas, and Gina Iniong. Iniong recently won a gold medal at the Asian Kickboxing Championship in Cambodia, while Veloso and Chulipas brought home bronze medals.
“First, I’m very happy because doors are opening for us Filipino women, especially Cordillerans, and yeah, I’m cheering for her as she enters ONE,” said Mariane Mariano, a 2008 Beijing Olympics wushu sanda competitor who made her ONE Championship debut on October 18.
“Keep it up,” added former mayor and congressman Mauricio Domogan.
Bomogao’s father, Councilor Benny Bomogao, shared a heartfelt message, saying, “Anak, my beautiful daughter. You were raised so no one would ever lay hands on you. But you chose a sport that will not spare you from such. Be strong and train well. Good luck. May Allah grant your wishes and success in your chosen endeavor in life. May you always be safe. Inshallah. We love you.”
Islay’s most recent bout was in Australia, where she joined fellow Muay Thai national team member Leeariel Lampacan and coach Zaidi Lauran in the Philippine-Australian showdown. Bomogao and Lampacan won their matches, while Lauran’s fight ended in a draw.
In late August, Bomogao also took home a bronze medal in the World Muay Thai Championship in Thailand in the combat division, along with a gold in the mai muay event. Before her trip to Australia, Bomogao was ranked the number one female fighter in her weight division by the International Federation of Muaythai Associations (IFMA).