‘I Was Always Looking Up To Her’ – How Allycia Hellen Rodrigues Inspired Stella Hemetsberger’s World Title Journey

When reigning ONE Women’s Strawweight Muay Thai World Champion Stella “Always Hungry” Hemetsberger first walked into Phuket Fight Club in 2022, she wasn’t even a professional fighter yet. But she knew exactly who she wanted to become, and she didn’t have to look far for inspiration.

Across the gym, ONE Women’s Atomweight Muay Thai World Champion Allycia Hellen Rodrigues was already living that dream. And for the past four years, the Austrian has been taking notes.

Now, as the Salzburg native prepares to challenge for two-sport glory in a rematch against ONE Women’s Strawweight Kickboxing World Champion Jackie Buntan at ONE Fight Night 40 on Prime Video, live in U.S. primetime from Bangkok’s Lumpinee Stadium on Friday, February 13, she carries the lessons learned from watching the mom-champ operate up close. 

The bond between the two divisional queens didn’t happen overnight, however.

When Hemetsberger first arrived at Phuket Fight Club – just before turning professional and signing with ONE Championship – the Brazilian was already established in the promotion.

She captured the ONE Women’s Atomweight Muay Thai World Title with a spectacular five-round display against Stamp Fairtex in her promotional debut back in August 2020. But, at that time, the Fortaleza native temporarily stepped away from competition to give birth to her firstborn, Josue.

Still, her presence in the gym remained transformative. 

For Hemetsberger, who would go on to compile a near-perfect 9-1 slate while fighting primarily out of Phuket, the opportunity to train alongside Rodrigues became the education she didn’t know she needed.

The 27-year-old shared:

“When I first arrived, Allycia was already the champion, and I wasn’t even fighting professionally. So, from the time I arrived, I was always looking up to her.

“I was learning from her and studying everything that I could. As the years evolved, we got close on a personal level as well. We’re friends now. And also, training-wise, back then, it was mostly her helping me. But now, I can help her during her sessions as well.”

What began as admiration from afar evolved into something deeper. The dynamic shifted from role model to training partner, then to friends pushing each other toward shared goals.

Those daily observations became the foundation for Hemetsberger’s ascent. She carried that knowledge through her perfect 4-0 run in the organization, capped by her stunning win over Buntan to claim the vacant ONE Women’s Strawweight Muay Thai World Title at ONE Fight Night 35 last September.

Now, as she looks to accomplish her two-sport dream, and with Rodrigues in fight camp for her next title defense against ONE Women’s Atomweight Kickboxing World Champion “The Queen” Phetjeeja Lukjaoporongtom at ONE Fight Night 41 on March 13, “Always Hungry” is grateful to grind alongside someone who shares the same relentless pursuit of greatness.

Hemetsberger continued:

“She’s a very strong fighter, and it’s very cool to be able to train with someone who has the same goals. It gives you that extra bit of motivation.

“During every session, we make sure we help each other, push each other, and just make each other better. Apart from Allycia and me, a lot of the girls in Phuket Fight Club are strong. In general, we have strong fighters.”

The Champion’s True Persona

Fans who watch Allycia Hellen Rodrigues compete inside the ring see a technical assassin, a fighter whose precision striking, immense power, and calculated aggression have made her one of Muay Thai’s most feared World Champions.

But Stella Hemetsberger has witnessed the person behind the performances – the training partner who pushes herself and everyone around her to operate at world-class standards.

It’s in those moments between the spotlight, during the repetitive grind of daily training sessions, that the Austrian discovered what truly separates the Brazilian from the rest of the pack:

“Allycia is a super humble, super nice, and great person, and there’s a reason why she’s a World Champion.

“Also, watching Allycia train is just amazing – how she technically does things, finds openings, and creates combinations. Above all, she’s super strong. When she’s training, she trains fiercely. But when it’s done, she’s back to laughing and sharing conversations with us in the gym.”

That duality – ferocious in the gym, warm outside of it – fostered an environment that helped the ONE Women’s Strawweight Muay Thai World Champion to thrive in Phuket Fight Club. 

Rodrigues never held back knowledge or advice. She knew that elevating everyone around her only sharpened her own edge, and that investment in her teammates would return in dividends when they needed each other most.

From then on, Hemetsberger understood the importance of being in a space full of warriors who push each other to the limits:

“Having Allycia and the rest of the fighters pushes me to become better. Always being around so many good fighters pushes you to work harder, and it really is the perfect environment.

“It’s also one of the reasons why I’m here. Everyone works hard. Everyone works toward their dreams, and we’re all fighters, so it’s a very good environment to be in, especially with people like Allycia around.”