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 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

Take a look inside the fight with Lookboonmee, who returned after a 14-month injury 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 decision! pic.twitter.com/cltyn3OUuh

— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) April 6, 2025

Result: Loma Lookboonmee def. Istela Nunes via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)Updated records: Lookboonmee (10-3 MMA, 7-2 UFC), Nunes (6-6 MMA, 0-5 UFC)Key stats: Lookboonmee outstruck Nunes 111-51 overall.

Lookboonmee on the fight’s key moment

“The game plan was to take her down. I really wanted to focus on my ground game and showcase that. I definitely prefer standup, but I want to be a more well-rounded MMA fighter. I really focused on that this fight.”

Lookboonmee on returning from injury

“Coming back after 14 months off was much more difficult than I thought it would be. I really want to fight two or three times this year. I think that’s what’s going to really make a difference for me. I had surgery last year, and it was really hard coming back.”

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – APRIL 05: (R-L) Loma Lookboonmee of Thailand punches Istela Nunes of Brazil in their women’s strawweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on April 05, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)

Lookboonmee on what she wants next

“I haven’t been home in nine months, so the first thing I’m going to do is go home and see my family. But if the UFC calls me to fight next week, I will fight next week. I want to get back to training as soon as I can. I really want to fight twice this year. It would be ideal if I could fight three times this year. I don’t have any injuries, and fighting only two times in the past two years because of injuries and surgeries, it was really hard.

“I know today wasn’t my best performance, but if the UFC gives me the opportunity to fight two to three times this year, I’ll be a lot better. I’ll fight anyone, but I really want to fight someone in the top 15. I’ve won four fights (in a row) in the UFC. I have nothing to lose, and it’s the fighters in the top 15 who should be scared of losing their ranking to me.”

To hear more from Lookboonmee, check out the video of the full post-fight interview above.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 65.