Smilla Sundell likens Natalia Diachkova's power to Allycia Hellen Rodrigues and Jackie Buntan: "She's strong"
Smilla Sundell voiced her respect for Natalia Diachkova's power.
On May 3, Sundell secured her latest ONE Championship win against Diachkova at ONE Fight Night 22. Despite winning by second-round knockout, the 19-year-old phenom left without her ONE women's strawweight Muay Thai world title after vacating her throne due to missing weight.
Over the last two years, Sundell has strengthened her Muay Thai resume by taking out Diachkova, Allycia Hellen Rodrigues, and Jackie Buntan. During a recent video posted on her YouTube channel, 'The Hurricane' was asked how Diachkova's power compares to Rodrigues and Buntan. She responded by saying:
"She's strong. I think. She got me good. I think she got me every time that everything just started spinning. But [as you can see] I'm still going forward."
Smilla Sundell's latest fight against Natalia Diachkova was an entertaining battle inside the iconic Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. The replay of ONE Fight Night 22 featuring Sundell's impressive performance can be seen by North American viewers with an active Amazon Prime Video subscription.
Watch Sundell's previously mentioned YouTube video below:
What's next for Smilla Sundell under the ONE Championship banner?
Following ONE Fight Night 22, many people questioned where Smilla Sundell would have to move up to flyweight after missing weight. ONE Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong considered Sundell changing divisions before the 19-year-old voiced her desire to regain the ONE women's strawweight kickboxing strap.
Assuming Sundell stays at strawweight, the best matchup for the vacant throne would be her against Jackie Buntan. 'The Hurricane' and Buntan first fought for the inaugural world title in April 2022, with the former emerging victorious by unanimous decision.
Since then, Buntan has bounced back with three consecutive wins in the division. Firstly, the 26-year-old American must focus on her upcoming fight against Anissa Meksen, which takes place on July 5 in the ONE Fight Night 23 main event for the inaugural ONE women's strawweight kickboxing world title.
ONE Fight Night 23 can be seen live and for free by North American and Canadian viewers with an active Amazon Prime Video subscription.