ONE Fight Night 23: Jackie Buntan v Anissa Meksen in main event for inaugural strawweight kickboxing title
- Buntan has been competing in this division for her entire professional career while Meksen is moving up in weight
- Buntan previously challenged for the strawweight Muay Thai title but came up short against Smilla Sundel
Two former title challengers will face off for a newly introduced belt at the ONE Fight Night 23 main event, with four bouts set for Lumpinee Stadium on July 6.
Jackie Buntan faces Anissa Meksen in the showpiece with the winner set to be crowned the inaugural strawweight kickboxing champion. Filipino-American fighter Buntan has been competing in this division for her entire professional career while her French-Algerian opponent is moving up in weight.
Buntan previously challenged for the strawweight Muay Thai title but came up short against Smilla Sundell. Meksen is coming off a decision loss to Phetjeeja Lukjaoporongtom in a fight which had the atomweight kickboxing belt on the line.
The event will also feature the return of former lightweight champion Ok Rae Yoon (17-4). The Korean mixed martial artist is one of only three fighters to have ever beaten title holder Christian Lee.
He welcomes Alibeg Rasilov (13-0), who will be making his ONE Championship debut. Born in Dagestan but based in Turkey, 11 of his 13 victories have come inside the distance and he looks set to be a top contender in the lightweight division.
Another former title challenger will be in action in a bantamweight Muay Thai fight. Saemapetch Fairtex has been matched with Nico Carrillo, a Scottish fighter who is tipped to challenge for the belt himself.
