Jackie Buntan is set to make her return to the ring, marking her first fight since the passing of her father. She will challenge Austria`s Stella Hemetsberger for the ONE strawweight Muay Thai world title. This highly anticipated bout will take place at Bangkok`s renowned Lumpinee Stadium and will be broadcast live on Sky Sports in the early hours of Saturday morning.
The Filipino-American athlete, who already holds the organization`s strawweight kickboxing world championship, has openly shared that the unexpected death of her father, Jessie, in December, has profoundly altered her perspective on both life and competition. This personal tragedy struck merely a month after she achieved the most significant victory of her career: a unanimous decision win against the legendary French-Algerian striker Anissa Meksen, which secured her the strawweight kickboxing world title. A period that should have been filled with triumph was instead overshadowed by heartbreak, and Buntan acknowledges that her grief continues to be a tangible presence as she prepares for her return to action in Thailand.
Throughout much of her career, Buntan competed with the objective of asserting her presence in the world of martial arts. However, her father`s passing has brought about a profound shift in her outlook. What once began as a personal quest has now evolved into a pursuit imbued with far deeper significance.
“Combat sports, when it`s just you in there, it`s a very selfish sport. You have no one else to blame but yourself, and you`re honestly doing it for yourself. That`s how I was up until a year ago when I lost my father. And that`s my reason why now,” she revealed.
This unwavering determination is intertwined with an honest acknowledgment of the unpredictable waves of grief that continue to surface.
Even today, she grapples with the profound impact of her loss.
“Grief is – the best way I can explain it – is it`s a journey. It`s ongoing, and it manifests in different waves and emotions. I don`t believe it ever truly disappears; it emerges unexpectedly at the most unusual moments,” she elaborated.
Despite the challenges, the 28-year-old has discovered strength in sharing her personal journey publicly. She chose to tell her story to reassure others experiencing similar struggles that they are not alone. While Buntan typically maintains a private life, preferring her fighting achievements and training updates to speak for themselves, her prolonged silence on this matter eventually gave way to a powerful urge to connect with fans who might be enduring similar pain.
“It was essential to share it,” she clarified, “so that others who have traveled similar paths or are currently experiencing this know they are not isolated. Anyone, regardless of their background, can unfortunately encounter such a loss. I am aware that many of my fans and followers have experienced what I have.”
Jessie`s pride in his daughter`s accomplishments grew steadily as her career soared. Initially, he found it difficult to comprehend her decision to compete in combat sports. However, his perspective shifted dramatically when her fights started making headlines in the Philippines. Following her breakthrough victory over Nat `Wondergirl` Jaroonsak in 2021, he truly grasped the immense potential of her career.
“For me, it was like: `Oh my God, this is huge. I`m in ONE.` But for him, he exclaimed: `Oh, my God, I saw you on ABS-CBN,` which is a prominent news channel in the Philippines. That`s when he fully understood: `she`s a star,`” Buntan recounted.
While he seldom watched her compete live, unable to bear the thought of his daughter getting hurt, he offered unwavering support in every other aspect. As Buntan continued to win, her father`s anxieties diminished. By the time she secured three consecutive victories in 2021, he had come to understand that she possessed the ability not only to endure but also to truly excel in the ring.
