“The first fight I've done professionally with boxing gloves” - Jackie Buntan thankful for kickboxing stint to give her face ‘a break’

Reigning and undisputed ONE women's strawweight kickboxing world champion Jackie Buntan of the United States and the Philippines made the decision to sidetrack herself from 'the art of eight limbs' and try her hand at kickboxing.

It turned out to be one of the best decisions she has ever made for her career. Today, she is the strawweight kickboxing queen in the world's largest martial arts organization.

Buntan is also happy to have given her face a break from fighting in small-gloved Muay Thai.

Speaking to The Casuals in a recent guest podcast appearance, Buntan talked about the respite she gets from kickboxing.

The 27-year-old Boxing Works representative said:

"The last fight for the belt was the first fight I've done professionally with boxing gloves, which was kind of crazy. All of my fights professionally have been with MMA gloves. So it was actually nice, like, giving your face a break."

That being said, Buntan maintains that she still plans on returning to Muay Thai to try for the vacant strawweight belt there, sometime later this year.

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Jackie Buntan gives props to coach Brian Popejoy for developing her as a fighter: "He has such a detailed eye"

Under the watchful guidance of renowned coach Brian Popejoy at Boxing Works in California, Jackie Buntan has transformed into a global superstar and world champion.

She gives credit to Popejoy for guiding her throughout her career in ONE Championship.

Buntan told the Casuals:

"He's like, king of that. He has such a detailed eye. I think that's why he's such an amazing coach. He sees every little detail."

Stay tuned to Sportskeeda MMA for all the latest news and updates surrounding Jackie Buntan's next fight.