"Super uncomfortable at first" - Jackie Buntan shares how her boxing became a key part of her success against Anissa Meksen

ONE women's strawweight Muay Thai standout Jackie Buntan had to trust her improved boxing abilities over her mastery of the 'Art of Eight Limbs' to win the inaugural women's strawweight kickboxing crown over Anissa Meksen at ONE 169 this past November.

The Boxing Works star discussed the tactical switch during a sit-down interview on The Casuals:

"Definitely just being in the pocket. That's something I had to work a lot [on], especially with the last fight, was being in the pocket with her and getting comfortable doing that, which was super uncomfortable at first."

Watch the entire interview below:

The Boxing Works product knew she was in for a tough showdown inside the Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, because 'C18' is a battle-hardened and accomplished veteran.

Despite it being Buntan's first-ever kickboxing bout, the Filipino-American striker steeled herself and delivered the best performance of her young career to secure the inaugural ONE women's strawweight kickboxing world championship via unanimous decision.

With the victory, the 27-year-old also claimed her seventh victory under the ONE banner.

---

Jackie Buntan reveals the intricacies of her game plan versus Anissa Meksen

Jackie Buntan relied heavily on the guidance of her coach and Boxing Works founder Brian Popejoy to outlast Anissa Meksen at ONE 169, which includes letting the Korean Tiger Studios affiliate lead the action early on.

Buntan told ONE athlete-turned-commentator Mitch Chilson in the in-ring post-fight interview:

"It's five rounds, my coach told me to take my time. First round, slowly build, that was the whole game plan. I took the first round to feel her power and speed. It wasn't much of a threat to me, to be honest. I just kept on building in round one and took my time with it."