ONE 169 preview and predictions: Jackie Buntan vs. Anissa Meksen
ONE Championship has made sure ONE 169 will be a true spectacle of modern martial arts.
The promotion has put up three world title fights for its final numbered event of the year, one of which is the inter-generational matchup between Jackie Buntan and Anissa Meksen for the inaugural ONE women's strawweight kickboxing world title.
Buntan is one of the best stars of the current generation while Meksen is already considered one of the best of all time.
The Filipino-American standout maintained in her previous interviews that she'll head into an uphill battle against Meksen on Nov. 8 at Lumpinee Stadium.
Meksen, meanwhile, sees Buntan as the final hurdle in her quest to secure a piece of ONE Championship gold.
Before ONE 169 goes down in Bangkok, Sportskeeda MMA's ONE Championship team put together their most unbiased analyses to predict the winner between Anissa Meksen and Jackie Buntan.
ONE 169 is available live and free to all Prime Video subscribers in the United States and Canada.
James De Rozario: Anissa Meksen via decision
Anissa Meksen will finally lay her hands on the 26 pounds of gold that she's long had her eyes on.
The multi-time world champion holds one too many advantages over Buntan, who should be in for a baptism of fire when she makes her kickboxing debut at ONE 169.
I see 'C18' just staying ahead in every exchange, leaning on her kicks to work her way inside before draining Buntan with her explosive punch-kick combinations.
I love what Buntan brings to the table. That said, Anissa Meksen's experience and eagerness to complete her goal on the global stage is an equation that the Boxing Works affiliate won't have an answer to.
Mike Murillo: Anissa Meksen via decision
Two fighters long in search of a ONE world title, expect Jackie Buntan and Anissa Meksen to go for broke when they collide at ONE 169.
I am giving the advantage, however, to the veteran Meksen as she is competing in her traditional lane of kickboxing. That's opposed to Buntan, who is making her debut in the sport. I see it being a factor in ‘C18’ hacking out a decision victory.
This is not to say that Filipino-American Buntan has no chance at all in the contest as she is every bit dangerous with her striking, which she has shored up with the aid of her highly competent team in the lead-up to the contest.
But with Meksen long competing in kickboxing even before she joined ONE Championship, seeing it all and winning in big fights in it, she may have more to draw from through the course of the title match.
Ted Razon: Anissa Meksen via decision
It’s youth versus experience in this thrilling showdown between Anissa Meksen and Jackie Buntan. However, I don’t see a passing of the torch moment happening once the dust settles between these two fine strikers.
Buntan loves to start fast, and I see her landing some of her swift punch combos in round one.
‘C18’, though, has been there and done that and will likely figure out the Filipina-American’s rhythm and find a way to land some countershots.
Distance management will be key on this one. Buntan needs to close the distance and make this a dirty fight, while Meksen must stay disciplined and pick her opponent apart from the outside.
However, in the end, I see Meksen’s superior experience in kickboxing giving her the edge. Her familiarity with the intricacies of the sport would be too much for Buntan, especially in the championship rounds.
Vince Richards: Anissa Meksen via decision
This fight might just be where Anissa Meksen finally gets her hands on that elusive ONE world title.
I see Anissa Meksen carefully dictating this fight with her pace and precision while luring Jackie Buntan into her traps.
Meksen won't be gung-ho in her approach against Buntan, a scenario where the Filipino-American absolutely thrives, but would be clinical in her charge as she works behind her jabs and counters.
Buntan, I think, has the power advantage but she won't be able to rely on that for much of the fight due to Meksen's elusiveness, especially in the middle of the ring.
This will be a technical masterpiece for 'C18' as she finally claims the ONE women's strawweight kickboxing world title at ONE 169.