“She's still my inspiration” - Jackie Buntan says she wouldn’t be where she is today without the help of Janet Todd

Jackie Buntan still draws inspiration from former ONE world champion Janet Todd.

Following an illustrious career that saw her capture the ONE atomweight kickboxing and interim atomweight Muay Thai world titles, Todd laid down her gloves and retired from combat sports following a five-round war with Phetjeeja at ONE Fight Night 20.

Though she's no longer competing on martial arts' biggest global stage, Todd continues to be a source of inspiration for reigning ONE strawweight kickboxing queen Jackie Buntan.

"I feel like we have a very similar style, but different in competition," Buntan said during an appearance on The Casuals. "I feel like, but we've been training for a long time. I started training with Janet when I was maybe, like, 14, so like, way, way, way back. She's still my inspiration to this day. She's the hardest worker I know."

Watch the full interview:

Buntan followed in Todd's footsteps at ONE 169 inside the legendary Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, besting Anissa Meksen to claim her first 26 pounds of ONE Championship gold.

If you missed any of the action, ONE Championship fans in the United States and Canada can watch the ONE 169: Malykhin vs. Reug Reug replay on demand via Amazon Prime Video.

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Jackie Buntan eyeing champ-champ status in 2025

Claiming the coveted kickboxing crown to close out her 2024, Jackie Buntan has big plans for the new year — plans that include defending her ONE world title and adding another one to her collection.

“Next year, the goal is to keep defending the kickboxing belt and go for the Muay Thai belt and hold both belts at the same time,” Buntan told ONE.

Buntan's lone loss under the ONE Championship banner came against former strawweight Muay Thai world titleholder Smilla Sundell at ONE 156 in April 2022.

Since then, 'The Hurricane' has surrendered her gold, losing it on the scale after failing to meet weight and hydration requirements for a title defense against Natalia Diachkova in May.

Could we see Buntan challenging for the vacant title in 2025? And if so, could it be Sundell standing across from her in one of the most anticipated rematches of the year? Only time will tell.