"I had to really go for it" - Smilla Sundell admits she had to dig deep to beat aggressive Jackie Buntan
Reigning and undisputed ONE women's strawweight Muay Thai world champion 'The Hurricane' Smilla Sundell of Sweden is ready to step back inside the ONE Championship ring to defend her gold anew.
But the 19-year-old teenage sensation can't help but look back at how she got the belt in the first place.
Sundell put together an awe-inspiring performance, pulling out a gruelling five-round unanimous decision after an absolute war with Filipina-American star Jackie Buntan in April 2022 to capture the inaugural ONE women's strawweight Muay Thai world title.
Speaking to Calf Kick Sports in a recent interview, Sundell recalled having to dig really deep in the trenches after Buntan had her in trouble briefly during their fight.
'The Hurricane' recounted:
"My cornerman told me to really go for it because I didn't want to lose. So I knew I had to really go for it, and I was slow in the first two rounds because I had a bad [issue with my weight] at that time. So my legs were very sore but yeah, I got the win in the end so everything's fine."
Sundell is set to return to action against Russia's Natalia Diachkova at ONE Fight Night 22: Sundell vs. Diachkova on Prime Video. The event broadcasts live from the iconic Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
Smilla Sundell on becoming a ONE world champion: "It was my biggest dream coming true"
19-year-old Smilla Sundell was on vacation with her family many years ago when she discovered Muay Thai. Fast forward years later, she is now the youngest world champion in the world's largest martial arts organization.
She told Calf Kick Sports:
"It was my biggest dream coming true. I was very happy. I don't think I knew what was going on in that minute. It took me a few minutes to like really get it in my head."
Fans in the United States and Canada can catch all the action of ONE Fight Night 22: Sundell vs. Diachkova live and absolutely free on U.S. primetime on May 3rd, via an active Amazon Prime Video subscription.