Buntan seeks title shot: I'm a series contender


Jackie Buntan lands a right hook to Ekaterina Vandaryeva in their ONE women's strawweight bout. (ONE Championship)

Filipina-American muay thai fighter Jackie Buntan is keeping her head up high as she seeks a crack at the belt in the ONE Super Series soon.

Following two straight wins since her debut last February, Buntan isn't in any rush to chase for the inaugural ONE strawweight muay thai title but believes that she has what it takes for the title bout.

"I'm not really sure how it's gonna go down but I think I'm making it clear I'm a series contender in division," said Buntan, who holds a record 22-5 muay thai record. "I think I'll be up for a title shot sooner than later, I hope."

READ: Buntan grateful for support of parents, Filipino community

Last week, Buntan captured her second win in the promotion after beating Ekaterina Vandaryeva of Belarus with a majority decision.

Prior to that, the Fil-Am warrior from Boxing Works marked an impressive debut by earning a convincing unanimous decision win over Thai rising star Wondergirl Fairtex.

READ: ONE chief Sityodyong impressed with Fil-Am Buntan’s debut

With crisp punches and precise counter-striking, Buntan showed who's boss at boxing despite the reach and height advantage of her previous opponents.

"I think I can say I was definitely more happy with my performance in my debut but I was definitely also happy with this performance because, like I said, I was able to adjust," added the 23-year-old Buntan. "Even though it was on the later rounds, I was able to adjust and score more and get the win."

ONE Championship, however, has yet to release an official ranking for the women's strawweight division in muay thai.

In its atomweight counterpart, which is played from 47.7 kg to 52.2 kg, Allycia Hellen Rodrigues holds the world title, followed by Stamp Fairtex (No. 1), Buntan's teammate Janet Todd (No. 2), Anne Line Hogstad (No. 3), Alma Juniku (No. 4), and Milagros Lopez (No. 5).