“That’s where my confidence comes from” - Jackie Buntan explains why Anissa Meksen’s experience advantage won’t matter
Filipino-American fighter Jackie Buntan is confident of holding her own against battle-tested veteran Anissa Meksen in their scheduled title match next month. She said she has long prepared for the big moments and is out to showcase it come fight night.
The 27-year-old Boxing Works standout will vie for the inaugural ONE women's strawweight kickboxing world title against Algerian-French striker Meksen, 36, at ONE 169: Malykhin vs. 'Reug Reug' on Nov. 8. It is part of the event happening at the Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
In a recent interview with Sportskeeda MMA, Buntan highlighted that while she may not have as many fights under her belt as Meksen, she has, however, been training for over a decade now with the end goal of becoming a world champion and believes she is every bit ready.
She said:
"You know, at first it was like, 'Yeah she has a lot more experience than I do.' But I've been training for 16 years now. I don't have as many fights as her, but I've been training every day for 16 years. So that's where my confidence comes from."
ONE 169 will mark the second time that Jackie Buntan will shoot for a world title. In April 2022, she vied for the inaugural ONE strawweight Muay Thai world title but was edged out by Sweden's Smilla Sundell by decision.
Meksen is also in the same boat as she is coming off a failed bid in her previous match last December for the interim atomweight kickboxing world title, losing to Thai sensation Phetjeeja.
ONE 169 will air live and for free in U.S. primetime to North American fans with an active Amazon Prime Video subscription.
Jackie Buntan not surprised to face off against Anissa Meksen for strawweight world title
Jackie Buntan said she is not all surprised that she is set to face off with Anissa Meksen for the inaugural women's strawweight kickboxing title at ONE 169 on Nov. 8. She believes that with the Algerian-French striker among the top fighters in the division, it made sense that she is pitted against her for the championship belt.
The California-based fighter shared this in a conversation with Sportskeeda MMA, saying:
"She wasn't my first person to think of getting a title shot, but knowing that she fought in the 122-division in Glory, I kind of figured it out. It would make sense if she would fight in the strawweight division because it was close to the weight she used to fight at."
Entering ONE 169, Jackie Buntan has won three straight matches, the most recent over Martine Michieletto of Italy be decision back in March.