“I’m curious to see what her next steps are” - Jackie Buntan says she hasn’t thought of old foe Smilla Sundell ahead of ONE 169

Jackie Buntan isn't looking too much into her past as she marches her way to her second shot at ONE Championship gold.

The Filipino-American standout will face the legendary Anissa Meksen for the inaugural ONE women's strawweight kickboxing world title at ONE 169 on Friday, US primetime, at the historic Lumpinee Stadium.

Riding a steady wave of momentum, Buntan isn't looking back to the one person who dealt her first and only loss in the promotion.

Buntan suffered her lone defeat in her ONE Championship tenure when she fell to Smilla Sundell via decision for the inaugural ONE women's strawweight Muay Thai world title.

In an interview with Bangkok Post, Jackie Buntan admitted that she hadn't thought of Sundell for a while and instead solely focused on taking down Meksen in Bangkok.

Nevertheless, Buntan is curious about what Sundell would do next after losing ONE women's strawweight Muay Thai world title on the scales ahead of ONE Fight Night 22.

"I honestly have no idea. I’m not too focused on who, all my focus is on Saturday, fighting against Anissa. But yeah, I’m curious to see what her next steps are."

Sundell, 19, is still growing into her frame and struggled to make the 125-pound limit for the division.

She was stripped of her gold ahead of her supposed world title defense against Natalia Diachkova in May 2022.

Buntan, meanwhile, is adamant that her current goal is beating Meksen and would only look at other possibilities once she's done with her task.

ONE 169 is available live and free to all Prime Video subscribers in the United States and Canada.

Watch Buntan's entire interview below:

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Jackie Buntan says Anissa Meksen's legendary status would make for a sweeter victory at ONE 169

Claiming a world title is the pinnacle for any fighter, but taking down a sporting legend adds more prestige to that achievement.

That is what Jackie Buntan already envisions happening for herself once she takes down Anissa Meksen at ONE 169.

Meksen is considered one of the greatest strikers of all time, having won gold under WBC Muay Thai, ISKA, Glory, Enfusion, and Kunlun.

Buntan said during the official press conference for ONE 169:

"Like you said she’s a legend in the game, and I think that’s what’s gonna make the victory that much sweeter, being able to fight somebody who’s on top of kickboxing and being able to make my mark in the world with it."