Islay Erika Bomogao

Hailing from the famed warrior hotbed of Baguio City in the Philippines, Islay Erika Bomogao carries the fiercely proud bloodline of the indigenous Igorot people.

While her culture is renowned for its fighting spirit, Bomogao was a self-described “pacifist” growing up. The timid child avoided street fights, but her health-conscious father ensured she stayed active from a young age. Her aunt enrolled her in swimming at seven years old, and though the young Filipina excelled and won local competitions, she knew her true calling was elsewhere.

A late bloomer to combat sports, Bomogao did not step onto the mats until 2016. She explored wushu, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and pencak silat before finally discovering her lethal potential in Muay Thai and MMA.

Bomogao’s natural talent for striking was undeniable. She was quickly recruited to the Philippine National Muay Thai Team, where she proudly represented her country and began collecting a staggering array of gold medals.

The Baguio City native rapidly swept through the international amateur circuit and etched her name in the history books. She shattered barriers at the 2023 IFMA Senior World Championships, making history as the first-ever Filipina to become a Muay Thai World Champion.

Armed with an elite striking pedigree, Bomogao turned professional in 2024 and arrived in the world’s largest martial arts organization. Her undeniable charm and ferocious technique made her an instant fan favorite.

Before every bout, she captivates the global audience with a mesmerizing rendition of the traditional Thai Wai Kru. Yet, once the opening bell rings, the captivating performer instantly transforms into a smiling assassin. Boasting a flawless 4-0 start in ONE Championship, highlighted by spectacular back-to-back knockouts of Nerea Rubio and Ploychompoo PU Phabai, she has built tremendous momentum.

Now, Bomogao is determined to become the first Filipina to capture gold in ONE Championship’s women’s atomweight Muay Thai division.