“I am the underdog in this fight” - Jackie Buntan says she’ll be in an uphill climb against Anissa Meksen at ONE 169
Jackie Buntan expects she will be in the biggest and most important fight of her career when she takes on Anissa Meksen this weekend. The Filipino-American standout will take on Meksen for the inaugural ONE women's strawweight kickboxing world title on the stacked ONE 169 card on Nov. 8, US primetime, at the historic Lumpinee Stadium.
In an interview with ONE Championship, Buntan acknowledged her perceived underdog status against Meksen in their Bangkok showdown.
Nevertheless, the 27-year-old is determined to put the beating once she's between the ropes against the French-Algerian legend.
Jackie Buntan said:
"I wouldn't say that's most of the fuel. Most of the fuel is knowing that on paper with our numbers tacked together, I am the underdog in this fight."
Meksen is widely regarded as one of the best fighters of her generation. 'C18' is a multiple-time world champion and held gold under WBC Muay Thai, Glory, ISKA, and Kunlun.
Buntan, though, is ready to bring down Meksen and usher in her era at the top of the sport.
The California native is 6-1 in ONE Championship, with her lone defeat in the promotion being a unanimous decision loss to Smilla Sundell for the inaugural ONE women's strawweight Muay Thai world title.
Buntan has since racked up three straight wins at the expense of Amber Kitchen, Diandra Martin, and Martine Michieletto.
ONE 169 is available live and free to all Prime Video subscribers in the United States and Canada.
Jackie Buntan sums up what it feels like to experience the aura of big fights in ONE Championship
Every fighter dreams of putting on the best possible fights in their careers, but these matches could sometimes test their mental strength even before they make the way down the ramp.
Jackie Buntan is all too familiar with this sensation as she heads into her ONE 169 matchup against Anissa Meksen for the inaugural ONE women's strawweight kickboxing world championship.
In an interview with Sportskeeda MMA, Buntan said:
"They’re obviously not saying it, but you already know the emotions going through their heads. So it’s a battle of being excited and being anxious just knowing all the emotions that are going through their head. Walking up to the ring or the cage, being in the cage, waiting for the decision, you feel all those emotions."