Jackie Buntan is lined up for a big rematch in a different combat sport and in an outing that will see her aim to defend her crown. This transpires on February 13th as part of ONE Fight Night 40, and in the headline attraction, the ONE strawweight kickboxing championship will be defended by reigning titleholder Buntan in a sequel clash with ONE strawweight Muay Thai champ, Stella Hemetsberger.
This is an immediate rematch as the last time out with Hemetsberger was for the ONE strawweight Muay Thai title. Now coming into this bout as the reigning ONE kickboxing champion, but also looking to avenge the prior setback within the art of eight limbs, Buntan said [via Bowks Talking Bouts],
“Yeah, for sure. You know, it’s one thing to win a world title, but I think it shows even more importance to be able to keep that and defend that and stay on top. That’s the hard part.”
When asked if there were particular crossover components from that first fight that can inform the rematch here, Buntan stated [via Bowks Talking Bouts],
“Yeah, you know, I mean, although it’s the same fight and it’s a rematch, different rule set, it’s a different fight all in all. I always think that with every fight, even if it is a rematch, it’s a different fight. It’s a different Jackie that she’s going to be stepping in the ring with. So yeah, just different all around.”
As Buntan carves out her own championship legacy, it’s also worth noting her long-standing history with Janet Todd, a legendary individual from ONE Championship in her own right. When asked about those martial arts lineage pieces with Todd ahead of this key fight coming up here, Buntan quipped [via Bowks Talking Bouts],
“Yeah. No, thank you. Yeah, it’s been a journey. You know, I turned professional within ONE Championship in 2021. What is that, five years now? So was able to get a lot of work done and work my way up to world champion status. And you know, my goal is and plan is to keep that and stay on top. So yeah.”
When asked if that looks like continuing to author several kickboxing title defenses specifically or aiming to get another crack in the future at becoming a two-sport champion again, Buntan said [via Bowks Talking Bouts],
“Yeah. Like when I first came into the company, that was my goal. I wanted to follow in my training partner’s footsteps, Janet’s footsteps, how she was going for both sports and to attain both titles. That’s exactly what I want. And I know I’m capable of doing it. But the first task at hand is defending this belt and and stay on top and ‘and still.’”
Jackie Buntan on the differences between 4oz Muay Thai and kickboxing in the vacuum of the Stella Hemetsberger bouts
Speaking to the rich lineage and tradition components of fighting, the venue this fight takes place in has such a well- entrenched legacy piece to it. When asked about getting to compete at Lumpinee Stadium in the coming hours, Buntan stated [via Bowks Talking Bouts],
“Oh definitely. Especially obviously it’s kickboxing, but started with Muay Thai. I had more Muay Thai fights than I did kickboxing, but yeah, being here at the mecca of it all is, it’s quite insane every time.”
Going from the 4 ounce gloves in their first fight to kickboxing gloves now, when asked about both the offensive and defensive considerations that differ between utilizing those smaller 4 ounce gloves for the Muay Thai fights as compared to the larger kickboxing gloves, Buntan quipped [via Bowks Talking Bouts],
“Yeah, obviously with the 4 oz gloves, you can cause a lot more damage, way less padding. Clinching, obviously not clinching in kickboxing, but you have fingers. So you could grab on when you clinch. But I’d say defense as much as offense, but defense is the biggest difference. You know, with the bigger gloves, you have more surface area to defend shots.”
“As in the 4 oz gloves, a lot less surface area to defend shots. So, yeah, I think that’s the biggest thing for me is just getting used to the defense. Offense is; I’m confident in how I hit, my accuracy, the power, speed, all of that. But I’d say the defense would be the biggest thing.”