Islay Bomogao scored her first knockout in ONE Championship in a win over Narea Rubio at ONE Friday Fights 111.
The past few months have been extraordinary for Islay Erika Bomogao, and the 24-year-old is still processing everything that has unfolded.
Fresh off her spectacular first-round knockout victory over Narea Rubio at ONE Friday Fights 111 last June 6, Bomogao can't help but marvel at the packed schedule that led to her breakthrough moment in Bangkok.
The journey began with uncertainty in late March when her originally scheduled bout against Rubio at ONE Friday Fights 102 was postponed due to an earthquake that struck Thailand.
What followed was an intensive month-long training camp in Phuket at Tiger Muay Thai, where Bomogao prepared alongside the Muay Thai Association of the Philippines (MAP) squad for the IFMA World Championship in Turkey.
The preparation paid dividends as she captured gold in the women's wai kru competition in May before returning to ONE Championship's circle to deliver the most emphatic performance of her professional career against Rubio.
"It's been an intense whirlwind. It's all about staying disciplined and having a strong support system," Bomogao said, acknowledging the crucial role played by Team Bagsik, MAP, and her family throughout the demanding stretch.
"Then meticulous planning is important when it comes to training, program, nutrition, rest, and recovery time."
The Team Bagsik representative is now allowing herself a moment to savor her accomplishments, but her competitive mind is already shifting toward future opportunities.
"Right now, it's all about recovery and celebration. Then it's back to the drawing board with my team to analyze the fight and map out what is next," she said.
As the first homegrown all-Filipino to make waves in ONE Championship's Muay Thai division, Bomogao understands her knockout victory has likely opened new doors.
"I'm excited to see what challenges ONE Championship has in store for me," she said.