"I don't have a problem being an underdog" - Jackie Buntan says she's okay with being counted out in big fights
Jackie Buntan isn't worried about her underdog status ahead of her next outing under the ONE Championship banner. The Muay Thai specialist has defied the odds before, and she's prepared to subvert expectations once again at ONE 169.
Nov. 8 at Bangkok's legendary Lumpinee Stadium brings a new challenge for her career as she crosses over into kickboxing to face off with Anissa Mesken for the inaugural ONE women's strawweight kickboxing world championship.
Her opponent has already achieved an incredible career in kickboxing, meaning that, on paper, she holds a clear advantage.
In a recent interview with Beyond Kick, Jackie Buntan spoke about why this doesn't surprise her:
"Yeah, I think so. When we first got the offer way earlier in the year, before I even had my injury, I thought I was an underdog as well. Like I said, she's a legend in the game. I remember watching her first when I was still a teenager, so she's made her mark in this sport time and time again. I don't have a problem being an underdog."
She also added that it doesn't bother her because being the underdog isn't anything new:
"I think going into ONE Championship in my first fight fighting Wondergirl, I was slated as the underdog. No one knew who I was. I was making my pro debut and I don't need to prove anything to anyone but myself. So it doesn't change anything for me."
Jackie Buntan is ready to pull off the upset
Jackie Buntan may be the underdog but her confidence isn't going to let that play into the fight.
She believes that with the few adjustments she has made to her game, she can cause even an experienced veteran like Meksen plenty of problems.
Buntan is never going to match her opponent for experience but ultimately, she has five rounds to beat the veteran at Lumpinee Stadium on Nov. 8.