Filipina-American striker Jackie Buntan is ready to strut her wares to the world and connect to her roots while doing so.
Buntan makes her ONE Super Series debut when she tangles with Wondergirl Fairtex in a three-round muay thai bout at ONE: Fists of Fury on Friday, February 26 at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.
Living in California all her life, Buntan is excited to compete in Southeast Asia for the first time and use this platform to connect with her Philippine heritage.
“One hundred percent,” Buntan said when asked about wanting to compete in the Philippines.
“I’ve never been to the Philippines. When I told my family about it, explaining it’s a promotion based in Asia, the first thing they said was, ‘You got to fight in the Philippines.’
“I have so many relatives over there. It will be great to fight in front of them for the first time and have them see what I do.”
Leaving an impression would benefit Buntan, and she has the help and skills to do it.
Buntan trains at Boxing Works Gym in California, home to reigning ONE atomweight kickboxing world champion Janet “JT” Todd.
With Todd and head coach Bryan Popejoy packing years of experience in ONE, Buntan will certainly come in prepared.
“I’m not trying to sound cocky. Just training with Bryan for so long, I’ve developed a higher fight IQ than where I was a year ago,” she said.
“Even during quarantine, I took that time to be as consistent as possible and sharpen the tools I already have, and sharpen the fight IQ. So I think it’s my brain really [that is my advantage]. Being able to make smart decisions there.”
And if Popejoy can make a world champion out of Todd, she believes that she, too, can walk in the footsteps of her teammate.
“When she won that belt it was right before the lockdown. At the time, I was supposed to make my debut, and that just got me so pumped up to represent myself, my gym, my coaches – that really lit a fire in me,” Buntan said.
“Just seeing my friend – someone I’ve known for so long – achieve this, [I knew] I can achieve this as well.” – Rappler.com
Catch ONE: Fists of Fury on Friday, February 26 at One Sports and One Sports+ at 8:30 pm. It will also air simultaneously for free at the ONE Super App.
Also, TV5 will air the show on a next-day delay at 11 pm PHT on Saturday, February 27.
Read more from ONE Championship:
Ennahachi, Petrosyan, Rodtang Headline ONE: FISTS OF FURY
The Best Pictures From ONE: UNBREAKABLE III
Rassohyna Shocks Stamp With Last-Second Submission
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