Loma Lookboonmee is making history as the first Thai fighter signed to the UFC. What can fans expect from her at UFC Singapore?
The UFC is coming to Kallang, Singapore in the Singapore Indoor Stadium on October 26. The UFC Singapore card is headlined by welterweight contenders Ben Askren and Demian Maia. Also on the card will be some possible future contenders. Only one debut is scheduled as of now and that is Thailand’s Loma Lookboonmee, who is going to fight Aleksandra Albu (3-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC).
5’1″
Atomweight
23-years-old
Buriram, Thailand
Tiger Muay Thai
3-1
1 KO/TKO
How will Lookboonmee fare in the UFC:
Lookboonmee is a Muay Thai specialist with over 100 bouts in that discipline, and multiple accolades. Loma is still very young in her MMA career, and it would have suited her more to get a bit more experience before jumping to the UFC. Loma has fought competition with a combined record of just 8-6. Now she is diving headfirst into deep waters to fight some of the best.
In the clinch is where Loma is at her best. It’s the constant throwing of elbows and knees at close distance that she does so well at. Being a Muay Thai specialist, her stand-up is excellent, though both her finishes are by ground and pound. Her only loss came on the ground, by armbar. With her Muay Thai background, you can expect her takedown defense to be tested. So far her defense has held up but against lesser. Being such a young fighter there are doubts. The takedown defense and fighting off her back is the biggest concern. At the range more leg kicks would be great to see, and a little less stiffness to boot. Loma is a true atomweight and at strawweight, she’s going to be undersized. The silver lining is she has a lot of experience in combat sports. Training out of a legit camp in Tiger Muay Thai is going to pay dividends into her career as it progresses. Prediction: 3-1 in the first four UFC bouts.
Striking: C+
Kickboxing: C+
Clinch: A
Wrestling: C
Grappling: C
Striking Defense: C+
Takedown Defense: C+
Cardio: B
Biggest Strength: In the clinch
Biggest Weakness: Off her back
How Loma matches up with Albu:
Albu will most likely stand and test her skills with Loma. Albu is a black belt in karate so on the feet is where she’s strongest. Unlike Loma, Albu is a distance fighter who has a good jab and good output. Believe it or not Loma could have an advantage on the mat but I look for the fight to stay up-right. This is a perfect test for Loma as Albu is the same size as her and is 3-1 as well. It’s not as clear cut for Loma as many make it out to be. With that said, the scales tip slightly in favor of Loma as her style should allow her to beat Albu.
