Jackie Buntan: On the Path to Becoming a Two-Sport World Champion

Jackie Buntan has made her mark as one of the most skilled and ambitious fighters in the world of combat sports.¹

With her recent triumph over Anissa Meksen, Buntan claimed the title of women’s strawweight kickboxing world champion.

But her journey doesn’t end there. She has set her sights on an even bigger goal: becoming a two-sport world champion by excelling in both kickboxing and Muay Thai.

In this article, we’ll explore her recent accomplishments, her vision for 2025, and the challenges she faces on her path to greatness.

On November 8, 2024, Buntan stepped into the ring against Anissa Meksen, a seasoned and respected fighter known for her powerful strikes and tactical prowess.

The five-round showdown between Buntan and Meksen was highly anticipated, as both athletes sought to claim the inaugural women’s strawweight kickboxing title. Buntan ultimately emerged victorious, securing a unanimous decision win over Meksen.

Buntan’s victory was a result of relentless training, discipline, and a keen focus on strategy. Her performance in the ring demonstrated her ability to adapt to Meksen’s aggressive style and outmaneuver her opponent, earning the admiration of fans and critics alike.

With this win, Buntan achieved her dream of becoming a ONE Championship titleholder, but her journey is far from over.

Aiming for Dual Titles: The Plan for 2025

With her kickboxing title in hand, Buntan is not resting on her laurels. Instead, she has ambitious plans to expand her achievements by competing in both kickboxing and Muay Thai.

During an interview with Combat Sports Today, Buntan shared her vision for 2025, expressing her determination to stay active in both sports.

“The goal is to go for both,” Buntan stated. “I’ll obviously keep defending the kickboxing belt, but also go back and challenge for the Muay Thai belt. So the plan next year is to be active and do both disciplines, kickboxing and Muay Thai.”

Buntan’s commitment to competing in two sports speaks volumes about her dedication to her craft and her desire to push the limits of her abilities.

She is not only focused on defending her current title but also on claiming the women’s strawweight Muay Thai championship, adding another feather to her cap and solidifying her legacy as a multi-discipline champion.

The Road to Redemption in Muay Thai

In the world of Muay Thai, Jackie Buntan has been a formidable competitor, holding an impressive record with only one loss. Her lone defeat came at the hands of 20-year-old rising star Smilla Sundell.

This setback, however, has not deterred Buntan from her pursuit of Muay Thai glory. Instead, it has fueled her motivation to train harder and sharpen her skills for a rematch with Sundell or any other top contenders in the division.

Buntan’s promotional record of 6-1 in Muay Thai reflects her prowess in “The Art of Eight Limbs.” As she prepares to re-enter the Muay Thai division in 2025, her eyes are set on redemption and achieving what she could not in her initial attempt.

Her fans eagerly await her return to the Muay Thai ring, hoping to see her reach the pinnacle of success in both kickboxing and Muay Thai.

Jackie Buntan: Demands of Dual Competition

Competing in two combat sports simultaneously is no small feat. It requires immense physical conditioning, mental resilience, and the ability to switch between different fighting styles.²

Kickboxing and Muay Thai may seem similar to the untrained eye, but they each have distinct techniques, rhythms, and strategic demands. For Buntan, balancing these two disciplines means doubling down on her training regimen, working on specific skills for each sport, and ensuring she remains at her peak.

The transition between kickboxing and Muay Thai poses unique challenges. Kickboxing generally allows fighters to use punches and kicks, but Muay Thai includes elbow strikes, knee strikes, and clinch work, adding layers of complexity to the combat.

Buntan’s ability to adapt to these differences and excel in both forms of martial arts highlights her versatility and determination.

The Legacy of a Two-Sport Champion

If Buntan succeeds in winning titles in both kickboxing and Muay Thai, she will join an elite group of fighters who have made history by mastering multiple combat disciplines.

Becoming a two-sport world champion would not only cement her place in the annals of combat sports but also serve as an inspiration to aspiring fighters around the world.

For many fighters, the path to becoming a champion in one discipline is challenging enough. Buntan’s quest to dominate two sports underscores her drive to achieve greatness and push beyond the limitations of traditional athletic goals.

Her pursuit of dual titles exemplifies the spirit of determination, resilience, and passion that defines the world’s most exceptional athletes.

The Support of the ONE Championship Community

The ONE Championship organization has been instrumental in providing a platform for athletes like Buntan to showcase their talents on a global stage.

With her recent victory over Meksen, Buntan has garnered increased attention from the ONE Championship fanbase, particularly in North America, where the sport continues to grow in popularity.

ONE Championship events, such as ONE 169: Malykhin vs. Reug Reug, provide thrilling content for Prime Video subscribers in the United States and Canada, giving fans the chance to witness top-tier performances like Buntan’s title-winning match.

The organization’s commitment to promoting female fighters and creating diverse championship opportunities has enabled athletes like Buntan to chase their dreams and reach new heights.

Jackie Buntan: Preparing for the Next Chapter

As Buntan sets her sights on 2025, her training regimen will likely intensify to prepare her for the challenges that lie ahead.³

Balancing the demands of defending her kickboxing title while pursuing the Muay Thai championship requires a disciplined approach to conditioning, nutrition, and skill-building.

She will need to work closely with her coaching team to ensure that she’s in optimal shape, both physically and mentally, to take on the competition in both sports.

Her journey to becoming a two-sport champion will involve refining her striking techniques, improving her endurance, and sharpening her mental focus. It will also require a deep understanding of her opponents’ strengths and weaknesses, allowing her to devise effective strategies for each fight.

Buntan’s willingness to embrace this grueling process underscores her unwavering commitment to achieving her goals.

The Impact of Buntan’s Pursuit on Women’s Combat Sports

Jackie Buntan’s ambitions have broader implications for the world of women’s combat sports. By striving to become a two-sport world champion, she is challenging traditional expectations and setting a new standard for female athletes in the martial arts community.

Her pursuit serves as a powerful example of what women can achieve in combat sports, inspiring future generations of fighters to aim for excellence in multiple disciplines.

Buntan’s journey showcases the evolution of women’s roles in combat sports, highlighting the increasing opportunities and visibility for female fighters.

Her accomplishments demonstrate that women can excel at the highest levels of competition and contribute to the sport’s growing global popularity.

What Fans Can Expect in 2025

As the new year approaches, fans of Jackie Buntan eagerly anticipate her return to the ring. Whether she’s defending her kickboxing title or challenging for the Muay Thai championship, her fights are bound to deliver excitement and intensity.

With a packed schedule in 2025, Buntan is set to become one of the busiest and most-watched athletes in ONE Championship.

The potential showdown between Buntan and Smilla Sundell, as well as other top contenders, adds an extra layer of anticipation to her upcoming matches. Buntan’s journey promises to be filled with thrilling moments, as she continues her quest for dual titles and solidifies her legacy as a two-sport champion.

Jackie Buntan: Strawweight Throne

• Jackie Buntan has steadily risen through the ranks of ONE Championship, proving herself in both Muay Thai and kickboxing.
• With her recent kickboxing world title and a series of impressive Muay Thai victories, Buntan now finds herself on the precipice of achieving a rare accomplishment: becoming a multi-sport champion.
• As the women’s strawweight Muay Thai world title stands vacant, the possibility of Buntan fighting for the belt is more tangible than ever.
• While Sundell and Buntan are the two primary contenders, another competitor has emerged as a possible title challenger: Phetjeeja. Known as a Thai superstar in ONE Championship, Phetjeeja currently holds the ONE women’s atomweight kickboxing title.
• Her dominance in the lighter division raises the question of whether she would be willing to test herself at strawweight, challenging for a title in a heavier weight class.
• Phetjeeja’s potential entry into the strawweight Muay Thai scene could disrupt the landscape, adding an unpredictable layer to the title picture.
• Her skill set and reputation precede her, and a fight with either Buntan or Sundell would provide fans with a thrilling new matchup. If she decides to pursue the vacant strawweight title, it would undoubtedly spark excitement and elevate the division’s profile.

What a Buntan Title Victory Could Mean for ONE Championship

Jackie Buntan’s potential success in securing the Muay Thai strawweight title would carry significant implications for ONE Championship. Firstly, it would solidify Buntan as a two-sport champion, a rare achievement that only a select few athletes have accomplished.

This accomplishment would elevate her status as one of the premier female fighters in combat sports, setting a new standard for female athletes in both Muay Thai and kickboxing.

Additionally, Buntan’s ascent could serve as a source of inspiration for other female fighters looking to compete across multiple disciplines.

In recent years, ONE Championship has seen a surge of multi-sport athletes, and Buntan’s success could encourage others to challenge themselves outside their primary discipline, bringing more crossover matchups and creating dynamic possibilities within the organization.

Jackie Buntan: Implications for the Strawweight Division

If Buntan and Sundell do face off again for the vacant strawweight Muay Thai title, it would be one of the most anticipated bouts in recent memory.

Their first fight highlighted both fighters’ exceptional skills and determination, setting the stage for a thrilling rematch. For Sundell, the bout would represent a chance to reclaim the title she vacated and reinforce her standing as one of the top Muay Thai fighters in the world.

For Buntan, a victory over Sundell would cement her legacy, not only as a world champion but as a fighter capable of triumphing over one of the toughest competitors in her division.

A second victory against Sundell would close the chapter on their rivalry in a definitive way, while also allowing Buntan to explore other challenges across weight classes and combat styles.

 

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The Weight of Opportunity: Buntan’s Strategic Choices

Buntan’s decision to pursue both kickboxing and Muay Thai titles reflects her ambition and adaptability as a fighter. However, balancing two combat sports is no small feat.

The distinct techniques, training regimens, and strategies required for kickboxing and Muay Thai demand that Buntan maintain a high level of discipline and focus.

If Buntan decides to dedicate herself to the Muay Thai strawweight title, she may need to adjust her training and preparation to handle opponents like Sundell or Phetjeeja.

This adaptability is crucial to her potential success in achieving two-sport supremacy. Her choices moving forward will reveal her priorities within ONE Championship and could shape her legacy within both sports.