Loma Lookboonmee eyes UFC’s top 15 after tougher-than-expected return

LAS VEGAS – Loma Lookboonmee beat Istela Nunes with a first-round TKO Saturday on the preliminary card at UFC on ESPN 65 on the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

Have a look contained in the struggle with Lookboonmee, who returned after a 14-month damage layoff for her fourth straight win.

Loma Lookboonmee def. Istela Nunes

30-27, 29-28, 29-28 #UFCVegas105

Loma Lookboonmee beats Istela Nunes by unanimous choice! pic.twitter.com/cltyn3OUuh

— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) April 6, 2025

Outcome: Loma Lookboonmee def. Istela Nunes by way of unanimous choice (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)Up to date data: Lookboonmee (10-3 MMA, 7-2 UFC), Nunes (6-6 MMA, 0-5 UFC)Key stats: Lookboonmee outstruck Nunes 111-51 total.

Lookboonmee on the struggle’s key second

“The sport plan was to take her down. I actually wished to give attention to my floor recreation and showcase that. I undoubtedly choose standup, however I need to be a extra well-rounded MMA fighter. I actually centered on that this struggle.”

Lookboonmee on coming back from damage

“Coming again after 14 months off was way more tough than I assumed it might be. I actually need to struggle two or thrice this 12 months. I believe that’s what’s going to actually make a distinction for me. I had surgical procedure final 12 months, and it was actually exhausting coming again.”

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – APRIL 05: (R-L) Loma Lookboonmee of Thailand punches Istela Nunes of Brazil of their girls’s strawweight struggle in the course of the UFC Battle Night time occasion at UFC APEX on April 05, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Picture by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)

Lookboonmee on what she needs subsequent

“I haven’t been dwelling in 9 months, so the very first thing I’m going to do is go dwelling and see my household. But when the UFC calls me to struggle subsequent week, I’ll struggle subsequent week. I need to get again to coaching as quickly as I can. I actually need to struggle twice this 12 months. It could be ultimate if I might struggle thrice this 12 months. I don’t have any accidents, and combating solely two occasions previously two years due to accidents and surgical procedures, it was actually exhausting.

“I do know immediately wasn’t my greatest efficiency, but when the UFC provides me the chance to struggle two to a few occasions this 12 months, I’ll be so much higher. I’ll struggle anybody, however I actually need to struggle somebody within the prime 15. I’ve gained 4 fights (in a row) within the UFC. I’ve nothing to lose, and it’s the fighters within the prime 15 who needs to be afraid of dropping their rating to me.”

To listen to extra from Lookboonmee, try the video of the total post-fight interview above.

For extra on the cardboard, go to MMA Junkie’s occasion hub for UFC on ESPN 65.

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