“Each fight is a learning experience” - Jackie Buntan says loss to Smilla Sundell taught her how to become a champion 

Jackie Buntan strongly believes that she wouldn't have become the inaugural ONE women's strawweight kickboxing world champion if not for a humbling lesson early in her career.

The Filipina-American's crowning moment came at ONE 169 on Nov. 8, when she outclassed the great Anissa Meksen for five rounds to realize her dream of hoisting 26 pounds of gold.

It was the second time's the charm for Buntan, who failed to capture the women's strawweight Muay Thai belt in her first championship bout back in 2022.

The Boxing Works standout admits she was in over her head against Swedish phenom Smilla Sundell, who gave her a rude awakening about what it's like at the highest levels.

Now wiser from the lessons she learned from that setback, Jackie Buntan said she needed that loss to understand what it takes to be a world champion. She told ONE:

"The biggest difference from when I first competed for the inaugural Muay Thai belt with Smilla is that I, as every athlete does, put a lot of pressure on myself. But each fight is a learning experience. And like I said, things happen for a reason."

---

Jackie Buntan credits slow but steady approach in title-winning victory over Anissa Meksen

Jackie Buntan was way too overeager when she fought Sundell and paid the price for not pacing herself for a long war.

Not the type to make the same mistake twice, the 27-year-old striker opted for a more patient gameplan against the cerebral Anissa Meksen.

The new queen of the strawweight kickboxing division told Mitch Chilson in her ONE 169 in-ring interview:

"It’s five rounds, my coach told me to take my time. First round, slowly build, that was the whole game plan. I took the first round to feel her power and speed. It wasn’t much of a threat to me, to be honest. I just kept on building in round one and took my time with it."

The full replay of ONE 169: Malykhin vs. 'Reug Reug' is available on demand for Prime Video subscribers in the United States and Canada

​