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Jackie Buntan has left "the door slightly open" for a transition to MMA.
Buntan made her ONE Championship debut in February 2021. The American superstar started her promotional tenure with a 6-1 record in Muay Thai, the lone loss being against young phenom Smilla Sundell.
On November 8, Buntan accomplished a lifelong goal by becoming a ONE world champion. Surprisingly, the 27-year-old claimed gold in kickboxing before Muay Thai, defeating Anissa Meksen for the inaugural strawweight strap.
Buntan's successful transition to kickboxing has raised questions about a potential MMA debut in ONE. The Boxing Works affiliate was asked about the topic during an interview on the 'DeWar Report,' and she responded by saying:
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"Never say never. Right now, I'm focused on striking. I just got the kickboxing belt. I want to be able to solidify my name and be unbeatable in that and be unbeatable in Muay Thai. But you never know, never say never. I'll leave the door slightly open."
Over the last two years, Jackie Buntan has established a three-fight winning streak in the ONE women's strawweight Muay Thai division. Buntan started with a unanimous decision against Amber Kitchen before taking out Diandra Martin (first-round knockout) and Martine Michieletto (unanimous decision).
Watch Buntan's entire interview on the 'DeWar Report' below:
Jackie Buntan is focused on becoming two-sport world champion
Earlier this year, Smilla Sundell was forced to vacate the ONE women's strawweight Muay Thai world title due to missing weight. Later that week, Sundell defeated Natalia Diachkova, leaving the division's throne without a champion.
Sundell has claimed she wants to fight at strawweight at least one more time before moving up to flyweight.
Although it's unconfirmed by ONE, Sundell could find herself matched up in a rematch against Jackie Buntan for the vacant strawweight throne. They first fought in April 2022, with Sundell winning by unanimous decision for the inaugural title.
Sundell is the only fighter to have defeated Buntan in ONE Championship. Therefore, Buntan would have a massive opportunity to avenge the defeat and join an exclusive club of two-sport world champions.
Watch the first fight between Sundell and Buntan below:
