- George Chung
- Sep 4
- 3 min read
Loss has a way of reshaping champions, and for Jackie Buntan, the pain of losing her father has become fuel for her most ambitious goal yet. The ONE Women's Strawweight Kickboxing World Champion will step into the ring at ONE Fight Night 35 this coming Friday, September 5, carrying both the weight of grief and the dream of making history as she battles Austrian striker Stella Hemetsberger for the vacant ONE Women’s Strawweight Muay Thai World Title.
It's a quest that takes on deeper meaning following the December 2024 passing of her father, who lost his courageous two-year battle with colon cancer at the age of 64.
For the 28-year-old Filipina-American warrior, the upcoming clash at Bangkok's legendary Lumpinee Stadium represents more than just another title shot – it's a chance to honor the man who watched her rise from a pre-teen training at Boxing Works in Southern California to becoming a global martial arts superstar.
"My father was dealing with that cancer battle for pretty much two years. Close people around me knew. There's certain parts of my life I don't share. We all do private stuff, but so many people have experienced [losing a loved one]," Buntan reflected, her words carrying the weight of someone who understands that strength often comes through vulnerability.
The journey to this moment began when Buntan made her ONE Championship debut in 2021, facing Nat "Wondergirl" Jaroonsak and announcing her arrival with a unanimous decision victory. It was a breakthrough moment that resonated far beyond the ring, especially for her father, who witnessed his daughter's star power reach international heights.
"I fought 'Wondergirl,' and that was blowing up everywhere, especially on ABS-CBN, which is a big news channel out in the Philippines. He's like, 'Oh, my God, I saw you on ABS-CBN, this news channel in the Philippines.' That's when he realized: she's a star," Buntan recalled, the memory bringing both pride and pain as she remembers sharing that pivotal moment with him.
Since that Muay Thai battle, Buntan has compiled an impressive 7-1 record in ONE Championship, culminating in her stunning victory over legendary striker Anissa Meksen to claim the strawweight kickboxing crown last November.
Now, with the Muay Thai belt within reach, she faces the challenge of processing grief while pursuing greatness – a delicate balance that requires the same mental fortitude that makes champions.
"Grief is – the best way I can explain it – is it's a trip. It's ongoing, and it comes in different waves. It comes in different emotions and, again, I don't think it's ever going to go away. It comes up randomly at the weirdest times," Buntan shared, offering insight into the reality that lies behind the warrior facade.
Yet within that pain, she's found a source of strength that transcends the physical demands of elite competition. The memories of her father become both motivation and comfort, reminding her that love endures even when the person is gone.
"It hurts to look back at the photos, but I'm grateful that I took them because it reminds me of the good times I had with him, and I'm fortunate enough to have that documented,” Buntan said. “All these memories I have of him are of us laughing, and they're good memories."
As she prepares for the biggest fight of her career, Jackie Buntan carries with her the lessons learned through love, loss, and the unbreakable bond between a father and daughter. In the hallowed halls of Lumpinee Stadium, she'll fight not just for championship gold, but for the memory of the man who always believed she was destined to be a star.
