‘Time To Let All The Hard Work Show’ – Stella Hemetsberger Ready To Become Austria’s First ONE World Champion
Austrian striking sensation Stella Hemetsberger will announce herself to millions of fight fans around the world when she headlines ONE Fight Night 35 on Prime Video on Friday, September 5 — and she couldn’t have wished for a better reason.
That evening, live in U.S. primetime from Bangkok, Thailand’s revered Lumpinee Stadium, she will challenge reigning divisional kickboxing queen Jackie Buntan for the vacant ONE Women’s Strawweight Muay Thai World Championship.
The RS-Gym and Phuket Fight Club representative earned her shot at gold after compiling a perfect 3-0 record in the ONE Friday Fights series with dominant performances that showcased her all-around brilliance.
Her breakthrough moment came at ONE Friday Fights 104, where she knocked out Vanessa Romanowski in the first round to secure a life-changing US$100,000 contract and a spot on ONE Championship’s main roster.
Now, with everything she’s worked for within reach, the sports science graduate from the University of Salzburg feels completely prepared for whatever challenge awaits her inside the ring.
Hemetsberger said:
“I’m a complete fighter. However, I still like to be ready for everything that is needed. So, there’s nothing specific that I’ve been focused on, but I’m prepared for everything.
“I always work very hard for every fight in each fight camp. This fight camp hasn’t really been that different, but I’m just making sure I’m putting in all the work I can and getting ready to be the best that I can.”
Besides giving it all she’s got on the mats at RS-Gym and Phuket Fight Club, the Salzburg native is mentally gearing herself to claim 26 pounds of gold inside Lumpinee Stadium.
A victory over Buntan would also earn her the recognition as Austria’s first-ever ONE World Champion. Despite the high stakes involved, Hemetsberger is more than ready to tackle arguably the toughest test of her journey.
Having invested years of her life perfecting her craft in Austria and Thailand while balancing her academic pursuits, the Muay Thai athlete has left no stone unturned to be absolutely dialed in when it’s time for war:
“When I walk into the ring on fight night, I’m going to be in the zone and focused 100 percent on the fight. Once I’m in the ring, I know it’s my time to let all the hard work show.
“I’m very excited to fight there against a really top opponent and get the chance to fight for the title. This is a dream of mine, and I want to make the most of it.”
Hemetsberger may be ready to deliver another statement performance but she isn’t underestimating Buntan’s credentials.
The Filipino-American brings an impressive resume to their showdown, having captured the inaugural ONE Women’s Strawweight Kickboxing World Championship with a five-round clinic over the legendary Anissa Meksen last November.
Buntan now finds herself one triumph away from joining the exclusive ranks of two-sport ONE World Champions – a feat achieved by only a select few in the organization’s history.
Hemetsberger said about Buntan’s motivations:
“She has a lot on the line just like me. Becoming a World Champion in kickboxing isn’t easy, and for her to get this chance at the Muay Thai belt – I know she’ll come prepared.”
Needless to say, Hemetsberger has been thoroughly impressed by what she’s seen from Buntan’s glorious campaign in ONE.
While she prefers to keep her winning tactics against the Boxing Works athlete concealed, the Austrian expects nothing less than an explosive encounter when they lock horns in the main event of ONE Fight Night 35.
She added:
“Jackie has a really nice and explosive style. She always knows how to use her style in different fights and she’s had some really good fights in ONE Championship. That said, I know I can give her a good fight.
“My technical abilities are also very good. So, I know it’s going to be a very good fight. I think we somewhat have similar styles, and whichever way it goes, this one is going to be an exciting fight to watch.”
Hemetsberger Grateful To Have Current ONE World Champ In Her Camp
Though Stella Hemetsberger continues to work under the tutelage of her head coach, Roland Schwarz, at RS-Gym in Salzburg, the pair typically see off their preparations at Phuket Fight Club.
This has proven invaluable for the ONE Friday Fights graduate, who now trains alongside ONE Women’s Atomweight Muay Thai World Champion Allycia Hellen Rodrigues on a daily basis.
Having access to the mom-champ’s knowledge and experience represents a priceless opportunity as she prepares for her own shot at World Championship glory inside the ring.
She continued:
“Ever since I came to Phuket Fight Club, just seeing Allycia train has always been a motivation. I see Allycia almost every day. We meet at the gym, spend time there, and we are training partners as well.
“I really definitely appreciate training with Allycia. Like, it’s really good. Her motivation, her dedication, her technicality and power is impressive.”
