Jackie Buntan thankful for opportunities in the United States coming from an immigrant family: “I had more advantages”
Filipina-American striking star and former ONE world title challenger Jackie Buntan is thankful for growing up in the United States, which gave her immense opportunities to reach her potential.
Buntan comes from an immigrant Filipino family in California. She is the only one among her siblings to be born in the United States.
Speaking to ONE Championship in a recent interview, Buntan says this has helped her become who she is today.
The 27-year-old Boxing Works representative stated:
"All my sisters, my parents, they were all born in the Philippines. I grew up knowing the advantages I had and the disadvantages they had. Way back when we were younger, they weren’t citizens. I was. So I had more advantages that I didn’t really know were advantages until I became a young adult."
Jackie Buntan is set to square off against accomplished Algerian-French kickboxer 'C18' Anissa Meksen.
The two lock horns for the inaugural ONE women's strawweight kickboxing world title at ONE 169: Malykhin vs. Reug Reug on Prime Video, which broadcasts live from the historic Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand on Friday, November 8.
Fans in the United States and Canada can catch all the action live and absolutely free with an active Amazon Prime Video subscription. Stay tuned to Sportskeeda MMA for all the latest news and updates surrounding the event.
Jackie Buntan doesn't mind being an underdog against Anissa Meksen: "Odds stacked against me"
27-year-old Filipina-American star Jackie Buntan knows she's going up against a monster in 'C18' Anissa Meksen at ONE 169: Malykhin vs. Reug Reug on Prime Video. But she relishes in her position as the underdog.
Buntan told ABS-CBN in a recent interview:
"It just reminds me of going into my first fight with 'Wondergirl’. I was a big underdog, odds stacked against me, and that's my motivation -- just go out there and showcase a new style every time I fight."