"Finish college and be a nurse" - Jackie Buntan says her family was apprehensive at first with her decision to become a pro fighter

Filipino-American striker Jackie Buntan has become one of the most exciting athletes under the ONE Championship banner, though her family did not initially support her passion for martial arts.

In an interview with The Casuals, the 27-year-old revealed:

"They hated it. They were so against it, especially my older sisters. But yeah, I did it anyway. And then it was just a full year of them kind of just doubting me because I was still an amateur. So I get it. They just want the best for me. And, you know, they were all born in the Philippines."

She added:

"My mom too. So, like, 'we came to America, and then you want to fight, like, what is this about? Like, you should finish college and be a nurse.'"

Watch the entire interview below:

Despite not having her family's blessing at first, Buntan's determination to succeed in combat sports led to her accumulating a 20-win record as an amateur Muay Thai fighter.

Buntan earned a unanimous decision win over 'Wondergirl' Nat Jaroonsak at ONE: Fists of Fury in her February 2021 promotional debut.

Three years later, the Boxing Works product captured the inaugural ONE women's strawweight kickboxing crown over French-Algerian legend Anissa Meksen at ONE 169 this past November.

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Jackie Buntan appreciates Filipino fans' support

The Philippines has a rich history in combat sports, and Jackie Buntan is elated to represent her Southeast Asian roots on the grand stage of ONE.

Buntan recently told ONE:

"It's a really cool feeling, and it's cool to know that I'll always have the support of my people even if I wasn't even born there, and they're still taking me in. So that's one thing about Filipinos. We're always very passionate. And if you're Filipino, doing something big, they're gonna be rocking with you no matter what."