Filipino-American mixed martial arts fighter Jackie Buntan has made Filipinos proud with her impressive first round knockout of Diandra Martin in the inaugural ONE Championship event on American soil.
Born in Manila but raised in San Diego, California, Buntan easily handled the Aussie fighter in their 131-pound catchweight match, which was shown in Prime Video.
Once a challenger for the ONE women’s strawweight Muay Thai world belt, Buntan, 25, connected on a body shot then unleashed a right upstairs sending the Aussie fighter to the mat and never reco-vered.
The American-dominated crowd at the sold-out 1st Bank Center in Denver, Colorado went wild, as they celebrated the victory of Buntan.
Buntan took to Instagram to express her gratitude to her team and ONE Championship top honcho Chatri Sityodtong.
“Thank you to my opponent, @diandramartin for stepping in that cage with me. Thank you to my coach @bryanpopejoy for the countless hours he puts into making me the best version I can possibly be, this is nowhere near achievable without you; and to my strength coach @speedofsport for always pushing my limits and leveling me up in every possible way,” Buntan’s post reads.
Being the lone Filipino American at the live event gave Buntan some sense of pride and motivation to fly her motherland’s flag proud and high to the best of her ability.
Before the fight, Buntan said the match is more than a fight as she desires to inspire with the providential platform she has right now.
It was must-win juncture for Buntan as a victory moved her an inch closer to a potential rematch with Smilla Sundell for the ONE strawweight Muay Thai world championship.
Former ONE world champions Eduard Folayang and Joshua Pacio were on the sidelines of the maiden ONE event in the U.S. – Harley F. Palangchao
