Jackie Buntan not closing the door on rivalry with Smilla Sundell: “That’s up to her” 

Jackie Buntan hasn't given much thought about a rematch with Smilla Sundell, but that doesn't mean she's completely closed the door on it.

Since making her promotional debut in 2021, Buntan has amassed an impressive 6-1 record, besting some of the best women in the fight game, including Nat 'Wondergirl' Jaroonsak, Amber Kitchen, Diandra Martin, and Martine Michieletto. But despite all her success, there's one fight she would like to run back.

That would be her lone loss which came against former ONE strawweight Muay Thai world champion Smilla Sundell at ONE 156 in April 2022. On that night, 'The Hurricane' outworked Buntan and secured a unanimous decision victory.

Speaking with Violent Money TV, Buntan offered her thoughts on a potential rematch with Sundell, saying:

"I haven’t really thought about it. We were supposed to fight last year, but ever since then, I truly haven’t thought about it just because different opportunities come. And when I have the opportunity."

She added:

"I’m not focused on the next one, so right now, I’m focused on the kickboxing belt. In terms of where Smilla is at, she’s young, she’s way younger than me, she’s growing, so that’s up to her if she can maintain 125 lbs or not. I’m not sure."

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Jackie Buntan excited to test herself against a legend like Anissa Meksen

While a rematch between Jackie Buntan and Smilla Sundell is something every ONE Championship fan would love to see, Buntan's focus is squarely on her next opponent—seven-time titleholder Anissa Meksen.

Emanating from the iconic Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, ONE 169 will see Buntan and Meksen collide in a battle for the ONE strawweight kickboxing crown.

It will be Buntan's first time competing in kickboxing under the ONE banner—an opportunity she's very excited about. Not just because it's for 26 pounds of ONE gold, but because she could also land a win over one of the most decorated female fighters on the planet.

"I'm excited for a bunch of things, it being a kickboxing fight for the belt, and, like you said, a legend of an opponent," Buntan said. "I think that's what any athlete wants. You want to be able to play with the best and compete with the best, in order to be the best. So it's gonna make the victory that much sweeter."

Fans in the United States and Canada can watch ONE 169: Malykhin vs. ‘Reug Reug’ live on Amazon Prime Video on Friday, November 8 in U.S. primetime.