‘It Would Be The Highlight Of My Fight Career’ – Regan Gowing Embraces Dream Debut At ONE Friday Fights 137
Regan “Coconut” Gowing has traveled a long and winding road to reach the world’s largest martial arts organization, but her dream will finally become a reality at ONE Friday Fights 137: Tawanchai vs. Liu.
The 38-year-old Canadian striker will make her promotional debut against Thailand’s Duangdawnoi “Little Star” Looksaikongdin in an atomweight Muay Thai clash on Friday, December 19, which broadcasts live in Asia primetime from Bangkok’s iconic Lumpinee Stadium.
ONE Championship’s final event of 2025 represents the culmination of years of sacrifice for the Gracie Barra Ottawa representative.
Gowing’s journey began in the amateur ranks of her native Ottawa, where she quickly discovered her passion for the “art of eight limbs.”
But with limited opportunities in Canada once she turned professional, the determined striker ventured south to the United States, where she ultimately made history as the inaugural Lion Fight Women’s North American Flyweight Champion.
Gowing’s pursuit of Muay Thai greatness eventually led her to Thailand, the birthplace of the sport, where she has trained and competed several times over the years.
Though the Canadian sensation was developing her reputation, she always kept a close eye on ONE Championship. With the organization showcasing the world’s best strikers, “Coconut” was determined to earn an invitation and prove she belonged among the elite strikers competing on the global stage.
In 2023, during a trip to “The Land of Smiles,” she attempted to get on a live event. However, it wasn’t meant to be.
Gowing explained:
“When I came [to Thailand] for three months about two years ago, I tried to focus on getting on ONE because that’s been a goal of mine – to fight on the big show. But it didn’t work out.”
Rather than accepting disappointment, Gowing doubled down on her efforts.
The Ottawa native continued building an impressive resume, and she earned recognition as the WBC’s top-ranked women’s light flyweight contender, proving her credentials extended beyond regional competition.
And then, this past July, Gowing defeated Melissa Delgado to capture the vacant WMC Pan-American Title in Ontario, Canada. That win elevated her record to 38-9.
Eventually, her persistence paid off. Kru Alin Halmagean, the President of Muaythai Canada, was hyping up Gowing to ONE Championship officials and talking about all her latest accomplishments.
The Ottawa native tried her best to remain hopeful that an opportunity would come. And then, one day in November, a seemingly mundane moment in the gym turned euphoric when she received the news that would change her life.
Gowing recalled:
“I was just coming into a training session with my coach [Mark Holst], and I was so bummed because I’d been waiting and waiting. So, I came into the gym, and then we got the message. Mark was like, ‘You got a fight.’ I was like, ‘When?’ He’s like, ‘December 19th.’ And I’m like, ‘Who is it against?’ He’s like, ‘It’s against ‘Little Star.” And I was like, ‘Let’s go.'”
Gowing Ready To Prove Herself Against Duangdawnoi
Regan Gowing faces a formidable opponent in her promotional debut at ONE Friday Fights 137, as she’ll stand across the ring from a battle-tested Thai with over 120 career matches.
Duangdawnoi “Little Star” Looksaikongdin made a stunning first impression at ONE Friday Fights 128 this past October, defeating Australia’s Kim “Lil K” Townsend via unanimous decision.
Though debuting against the 27-year-old Thai could seem daunting, “Coconut” is fearless and has nothing but respect for her adversary.
Gowing said:
“‘Little Star,’ actually, I love. She’s one of my favorite fighters to watch. So, to be able to fight her is pretty crazy. She’s a fantastic Muay Femur counter-fighter.
“She’ll wait for you to make a mistake, dart in, and slice your face open. And her teeps are crazy fast. That left kick is ridiculous, and just the way she baits you in and counters is crazy. Her timing is impeccable.”
While impressed by Duangdawnoi’s technical brilliance, Gowing is incredibly confident in her own abilities and has already identified a few holes she can exploit.
The Canadian striker believes her greatest strength is the ability to adapt and employ different styles, and she thinks that could be the difference-maker in this atomweight Muay Thai contest.
She offered:
“I feel like I can fight different styles. She has one style that she’s fantastic at, whereas I’m very adaptable in the ring. So, if she wants to play that bait-and-counter game, then I can put on tactical pressure that’s going to set her out of her rhythm.”
Everything Gowing has worked toward since she was a young girl attending university comes down to this.
With her dream now becoming a reality, the Canadian sensation is ready to prove she belongs on martial arts’ biggest platform come December 19.
Gowing offered:
“It’s going to be a very exciting and fast-paced fight. Honestly, winning this fight would be crazy. It would be amazing. It would be the highlight of my fight career to date.”
