Loma Lookboonmee Becomes First Thai Athlete Signed to UFC, Debuts Versus Alexandra Albu At UFC Singapore

SINGAPORE�- Media OutReach - September 19, 2019 – UFC officially announces the signing of “Loma Lookboonmee”, the
first Thailand-born and trained athlete in the promotion’s history. Loma debuts
against Alexandra Albu at UFC FIGHT NIGHT: MAIA vs. ASKREN on October 26
in Singapore.

 

The main event features two of the
most talented grapplers to compete in the Octagon as No. 10-ranked welterweight
contender and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt Demian Maia takes on No. 11-ranked former
Olympic wrestler Ben Askren.

 

Suphisara “Loma Lookboonmee”
Konlak (3-1, fighting out of Buriram, Thailand) is the first Thailand-born
athlete in history signed to UFC. Born into a Muay Thai family, she first
competed at eight and later became a multiple-time Muay Thai champion with over
200 bouts. Loma won nine titles, including the S-1 world title and Assawindam
Stadium championship, and was a member of the Thai national team, earning three
IMFA gold medals.

 

Alexandra Albu (7-1, fighting out of Moscow,
Russia, by way of Vulcanesti, Moldova) was the first Moldovan to compete in
UFC. UFC Singapore marks her fourth match in the promotion, as she looks to
rebound from her first professional loss in February. Prior to her MMA career,
Albu studied Judo and competed as a black belt in Karate before becoming a
CrossFit and powerlifting champion in Russia.

 

“We are proud to host a match between
two groundbreakers in the sport of MMA, Loma Lookboonmee as the first athlete
from Thailand, and Alexandra Albu as the first from Moldova,” said Kevin Chang,
UFC Senior Vice President for Asia Pacific. “Both women have proven that each
can take her specific martial arts base and translate it effectively into a
dominant MMA style.”

Announced bouts on the card
include:

• Lightweight: Michael
  Johnson
  (20-14, USA) vs Stevie
  Ray
  (22-9, Scotland)
• Heavyweight: Ciryl Gané (4-0, France) vs Don’Tale Mayes (7-2, USA)
• Heavyweight: Sergei
  Pavlovich
  (13-1, Russia) vs Maurice
  Greene
  (8-3, USA)
• Lightweight: Beneil
  Dariush
  (16-4-1, Iran) vs Frank “The Crank” Camacho (21-7, USA)
• Strawweight:
  Yan
  Xiaonan
  (10-1-1 NC, China) vs Ashley Yoder (7-4, USA)

UFC
FIGHT NIGHT: MAIA vs. ASKREN on October 26 marks the second of
three events in a multi-year partnership with Singapore Tourism Board and
Singapore Sports Hub. The event will be live at the Singapore Indoor Stadium,
prelims starting at 5pm SGT and main card scheduled at 8pm. Tickets are
available at SportsHubtix.sg.

 

For event updates, please check UFC.com/Singapore, and follow us on Facebook (UFC
Asia), Twitter and Instagram (@ufc), and use our official hashtag:

#UFCSINGAPORE

 

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