Jackie Buntan is set to return to ONE Championship action this weekend, and she’s feeling confident that her team has set her up for success. On Friday, March 8, the Filipina-American striker will clash with Italy’s Martine Michieletto in a Muay Thai battle at the all-female ONE Fight Night 20: Todd vs. Phetjeeja inside the iconic Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.

Buntan last competed in May 2023 at ONE Fight Night 10 – ONE Championship’s first live event in the United States – where she knocked out Diandra Martin for her second straight win.

Jackie Buntan gears up for a return against Martine Michieletto

She may have stepped away from the limelight for a short while following that victory, but the Boxing Works standout has continued to hone her skills with the help of her team, which includes ONE Women’s Atomweight Kickboxing World Champion Janet Todd.

Ahead of her return this Friday, Buntan shared that Todd and their coach, Brian Popejoy, have played a key role in preparing a game plan for Michieletto. “She does have a kickboxing background. You can see it in her style as well,” said Jackie Buntan.

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She further added, “I think just the difference being is that she’s a southpaw. But, you know, all of this always goes back to Brian [Popejoy] as well, with his game plans he’s had with Janet’s past kickboxing fights. So I think it all comes together with those two in my corner.”

‘The Italian Queen’ is undoubtedly a foe Buntan needs to be ready for. A veteran of over 50 fights, Michieletto took her talents to the world’s largest martial arts organization last year and defeated second-generation striking star Amber Kitchen in her promotional debut at ONE Fight Night 11.

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Buntan analyzes rival’s style and identifies weaknesses

While Buntan recognizes her rival’s strengths, she also sees some holes she can attack when they stand in the middle of the ring this weekend. “She has a very kickboxing-focused style. A southpaw – obviously, that stood out for me. Just that she’s a lefty. Looks like she’s good with the hands, quick, snappy punches, and is able to clinch as well. So I think she’s well-rounded. What weaknesses I see, I guess it’s just more foundational type of things. Being upright and her stance and her footing, stuff like that,” she said.

After competing only once in 2023, Buntan is looking forward to continuing her winning ways in ONE Championship by picking up where she left off this weekend. The 26-year-old is confident she has the tools to overcome the Michieletto and will use them to propel her to another win. And from there, she’s ready for anything.

“I’m very confident in my smarts. My technicality, my power, and my adaptability. I think it will just keep propelling that momentum, honestly. I think it’ll just keep adding on to the momentum of me getting more opportunities and, of course, getting closer to competing for both belts in Muay Thai and kickboxing,” said Buntan. All the action will be broadcast live and for free to 190 countries around the world, including Prime Video for fans across North America.

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