Jackie Buntan made history at ONE 169, claiming the inaugural ONE Women's Strawweight Kickboxing World Title in a thrilling five-round war against kickboxing icon Anissa Meksen.
The November 8 clash showcased the elite skills of both women over a grueling 15 minutes. Meksen started strong, displaying her trademark aggression and precision. But as the rounds progressed, Buntan found her groove and began to dominate the exchanges with calculated strikes and impeccable timing.
Speaking at the post-event press conference, Buntan shared her thoughts on the monumental victory.
"I felt confident right from the start, when I stepped in there," Buntan reflected. "After the first round, she was playing more defensive than I expected. I thought she'd pressure me more, but by the third round, I felt fully in control and executed everything we’d trained for. Nothing surprised me, and I was confident the whole time."
The judges unanimously awarded the bout to the American star, solidifying her place at the top of the division.
For Buntan, the victory is not just a career milestone but also a deeply personal achievement. The Boxing Works standout, who has trained with coach Bryan Popejoy since childhood, expressed her gratitude and joy at sharing the moment with her longtime mentor.
"I can't even put it into words," the new strawweight queen said. "Winning this with Bryan by my side feels like a dream come true."
Despite the loss, Meksen remains a legendary figure in the sport, and Buntan was quick to acknowledge her opponent's greatness.
"Anissa is a legend. I remember watching her fights when I was still in high school. Facing her for the belt was a dream come true. You’ve got to beat the best to be the best, and I didn’t take her lightly for a second," Buntan stated.
With the belt now in her possession, Buntan plans to celebrate her victory back home in California before eyeing future challenges. Her message to the division? She's here to stay.
"This is definitely the biggest moment of my career, but it’s just the beginning," Buntan declared. "I’m ready to defend this belt and continue proving I’m the best in the world."
As the strawweight division scrambles to identify the next challenger, one thing is certain—Jackie Buntan is the new queen of kickboxing, and her reign is just getting started.