ONE 169: Jackie Buntan says beating a legend like Anissa Meksen will make her world title win 'much sweeter'
Jackie Buntan is buzzing with excitement as she heads into her fight for the inaugural ONE women's strawweight kickboxing world title against Anissa Meksen.
The Filipino-American star has left her stamp throughout her run on the global stage, and despite falling short in her first world title fight to Smilla Sundell in April 2022, the Boxing Works fighter remains game as ever to accomplish her dream against the multi-time world champion inside the Lumpinee Stadium this Friday, November 8.
The 27-year-old Californian couldn't contain her excitement during a pre-fight interview with the Bangkok Post. Jackie Buntan even admitted that the prospect of beating a legend like Meksen will serve as an added bonus:
"I'm excited for a bunch of things, it being a kickboxing fight for the belt, and, like you said, a legend of an opponent. I think that's what any athlete wants. You want to be able to play with the best and compete with the best, in order to be the best. So it's gonna make the victory that much sweeter."
Watch the full interview here:
Jackie Buntan not underestimating Anissa Meksen for ONE 169 world title fight
While some fear the challenge of fighting someone of Meksen's caliber, Jackie Buntan is clearly prepared to dance with the French-Algerian wherever the fight unfolds.
That said, she also knows she cannot afford to estimate what her foe brings to the table at ONE 169 in Bangkok, Thailand.
As such, just as she had done in her previous appearances, the Muay Thai specialist is bringing the very same mindset that propelled her into one of the best strikers in the world today.
She told ONE Championship in a separate interview:
"The stage I'm at, it's all high-level opponents, and everyone's worthy of being there. So, I don't take anyone lightly. Whoever wants to stand in front of me, I just view it as a completely new situation."
North American fans with an active Amazon Prime Video subscription can catch the entire ONE 169 card live in U.S. primetime for free this Friday, November 8.