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Muay Thai: Buntan excited to show her improvement vs Vandaryeva

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ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2021/life/02/27/20210227-jackie-buntan-ig.jpg"/></figure></div><p><br/>Filipina-American striking sensation Jackie Buntan emerged as a rising star following her impressive ONE Super Series debut against the highly regarded Wondergirl Fairtex in February. </p><p>She is returning this week against another tough opponent in Ekaterina “Barbie” Vandaryeva when they square off in a strawweight Muay Thai contest at ONE on TNT IV on Thursday in Singapore.</p><p>The 23-year-old from California is ecstatic she can quickly return to action, and have an opportunity to fight on American primetime television.</p><p>“Being in line for such a quick turnaround after my debut with ONE Championship on TNT is a surreal opportunity. I can’t thank ONE enough for the belief in me,” Buntan said.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/04/22/21/muay-thai-jackie-buntan-proud-to-represent-ph-in-one-on-tnt-iv">Muay Thai: Jackie Buntan proud to represent PH in ONE on TNT IV</a></li></ul><p>“Winning my ONE debut absolutely added to my confidence as a fighter and as a person. I like to always be confident as an athlete and person, but that win against Wondergirl solidified the fact that I’m a serious contender in the strawweight division,” she said.</p><p>Against Vandaryeva, Buntan faces a multiple-time Muay Thai world champion and an all-around dangerous test. “Barbie” also holds the distinction of having defeated feared striker Joanna Jędrzejczyk early in her career.</p><p>But one advantage Buntan has over Vandaryeva is that she has reigning ONE atomweight kickboxing champion Janet “JT” Todd helping her out in camp. </p><p>Todd, who is Buntan’s chief training partner, defeated Vandaryeva in 2019 by second-round knockout.</p><p>“Janet has given me some little pieces of what she remembers from their fight. Janet is always a ton of help. She gave me little instances she remembered from their fight and what she did in those instances. Besides that, it’s just being able to do what I do,” said Buntan.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/02/23/21/mma-fil-am-striker-jackie-buntan-fights-hoping-to-reconnect-with-pinoy-roots">MMA: Fil-Am striker Jackie Buntan fights hoping to reconnect with Pinoy roots</a></li></ul><p>“I don’t watch too much of my opponents’ past fights. Maybe just a couple of rounds to get ideas. I’ve watched her and Janet’s fight, and I believe that was her most recent fight. I thought it was good.”</p><p>Buntan is heading into this fight with a lot of momentum. As such, she’s confident of victory and confident in her strategy. She fully expects to get her hands raised at the end of the night.</p><p>“I believe it will work to my advantage to get in and throw my strikes. She likes to kind of stay stagnant from what I last saw of her and in her fight with Janet [Todd]. I believe my footwork and speed will be the greater factor, so I don’t fall into the trap of rushing into her range,” said Buntan.</p><p>“There’s a game plan for this fight, just as any other fight. I’m looking to deliver my best self, as always. I’m going in there to be the calm and technical Jackie. I plan to use my best abilities, speed, footwork, and you’ll have to tune in to find out the rest.”</p><p>Buntan believes she’s developing at a rapid pace, and that fans will get to witness her improvements since her last outing.</p><p>“I never like to underestimate my opponents. I know Ekaterina will come ready to give a fight, so I prepare just the same as I do for every fight. Ekaterina has a greater height and reach advantage over me. She has a good left kick as well,” said Buntan.</p><p>“After watching footage from my last fight, however, I believe I have improved in my footwork and movement, and how I cover distance. But you know how it goes, there’s always room for improvement.”</p><div><strong>FROM THE ARCHIVES</strong></div><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe allow="autoplay; fullscreen" frameBorder="0" height="100%" id="ivsplayer01" scrolling="no" src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/html/iframe-src.html?iframeid=ivsplayer01&amp;key=e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603&amp;spid=3001339&amp;vid=1673422" width="100%"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more in <a href="//www.iwantv.com.ph/">iWantv</a> or <a href="//tfc.tv/">TFC.tv</a></div>

<p>Filipina-American striking sensation Jackie Buntan emerged as a rising star following her impressive ONE Super Series debut against the highly regarded Wondergirl Fairtex in February. </p>

Filipina-American striking sensation Jackie Buntan emerged as a rising star following her impressive ONE Super Series debut against the highly regarded Wondergirl Fairtex in February.