Jackie Buntan is about to fight on home turf for the first time as a ONE Championship athlete on May 5, completing what has turned out to be a dual-homecoming for the California resident.
Buntan takes on Australia’s Diandra Martin in front of her home crowd at the organization’s first live event in the United States – “ONE Fight Night 10: Johnson vs. Moraes III” on Prime Video, which fans can watch live and for free with an Amazon Prime subscription.
The strawweight muay Thai showdown takes place at the sold-out 1STBANK Center in Colorado, as both combatants work toward a rematch against ONE women’s strawweight muay Thai world champion Smilla Sundell.
Buntan made something of a pilgrimage back to her native country in December, when the Filipino-American star defeated Amber Kitchen at ONE Fight Night 5 in Manila.
The 25-year-old revealed that it was a long-held dream to return to the Philippines and showcase her skills in the country’s capital.
“From the get-go, being told I was on the Manila card, I was so excited because I think I remember telling my family when I first got my contract with ONE Championship and explaining to them this is a company based in Asia, and all the fights happen in Asia,” she said.
“They were like, ‘What about Manila, (what) about the Philippines?’ I’m like, ‘The goal was to fight in Manila. That would be awesome.’”
Buntan was born in the U.S. to Filipino parents and now calls California home.
The Boxing Works representative admits that she felt some trepidation heading back to Manila, fearing that the local fans wouldn’t accept her as one of their own.
Her fears were allayed, however, as the crowd inside the Mall of Asia Arena welcomed her with open arms.
“It really felt like a full circle moment being able to fight in Manila, and it wasn’t me being born in America. I’m definitely Americanized as that Filipino-American,” she said.
“I wasn’t exactly sure how the fans would take me in going into that fight. I don’t know if they would be like, ‘Who is this girl? Why is she representing America, but she’s Filipino?’ But it was the complete opposite. I was welcomed with so much love.
“The Filipino fans are so passionate, and just being able to experience that passion, that energy, live, let alone from inside the cage was just second to none. I felt the love 100 percent out there.”
With home court advantage on her side once again at ONE Fight Night 10, Buntan hopes to put on a show against Martin.
Though she is not looking past the Aussie, she is fully aware that victory is essential if she is to achieve her ultimate goal – world title glory.
“I’m not even looking past Diandra right now. I’m just thinking about ONE Fight Night 10. And absolutely, the goal is to get past her, which I know I will,” she declared.
“Right now, my spot is pretty solidified as a top contender. But that’s not good enough for me. I need to be the champion of this division.”
