Jackie Buntan still wants to fight in Muay Thai after claiming strawweight kickboxing belt: “Dabble with both”
Despite being the new ONE strawweight kickboxing world champion, Jackie Buntan still plans on competing in the art of eight limbs.
Returning to the legendary Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok for one of three massive title fights at ONE 169, Buntan etched her name in the history books by defeating seven-time titleholder Anissa Meksen via unanimous decision.
With the win, the Boxing Works star became ONE's first-ever strawweight kickboxing queen.
Though Buntan is best known for her work in the world of Muay Thai, she looked nothing short of spectacular in her kickboxing debut under the ONE banner. Speaking with Beyond Kick before the biggest win of her career, Buntan made it clear that she still plans on competing in Muay Thai after defending her 26 pounds of ONE Championship gold:
"The goal is to keep defending the kickboxing belt, then dabble with both kickboxing and Muay Thai in terms of who I want to fight. I'm not really thinking about anyone or focused on anyone."
What's next for Jackie Buntan after her world title victory at ONE 169?
It's been quite the journey for Jackie Buntan who bagged her first world title after 33 career fights, eight of them coming under the ONE banner.
Buntan got off to a good start in her ONE run, earning a trio of impressive wins against Nat 'Wondergirl' Jaroonsak, Ekaterina Vandaryeva, and Daniela Lopez. Unfortunately, Buntan saw her momentum halted at ONE 156 against the then-women's strawweight Muay Thai titleholder Smilla Sundell.
Undeterred, Buntan bounced back with another three-fight win streak, besting Amber Kitchen, Diandra Martin, and Martine Michelette en route to another ONE world title opportunity.
Now that she's finally climbed to the top of the mountain and taken her rightful spot on the strawweight kickboxing throne, there's only one question left—what's next?
If you missed any of the action, ONE Championship fans in the United States and Canada can watch the ONE 169: Malykhin vs. Reug Reug replay on demand via Amazon Prime Video.