ONE Fight Night 40: “Studying everything that I could”

Reigning ONE women’s strawweight Muay Thai world champion Stella Hemetsberger of Austria credits her career ascension to undisputed ONE women’s atomweight Muay Thai world champion Allycia Hellen Rodrigues.

‘Always Hungry’ left her native Salzburg in 2022 to train full-time in the renowned Phuket Fight Club.

She spent a lot of time training with Rodrigues as a sparring partner. Eventually, the teammates forged a lifelong bond.

Hemetsberger admitted she was already a fan of the Brazilian mom-champ before joining the gym.

It didn’t take long for her to become sisters with Rodrigues, whom she considers one of the most genuine persons she’s ever met.

The Austrian shared in a ONE Championship exclusive interview:

“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.”

Rodrigues was in full support of Hemetsberger in the biggest win of her career at ONE Fight Night 35 last September. On that magical evening, Hemetsberger pulled off a massive upset against Jackie Buntan to claim the vacant strawweight Muay Thai crown.

Now, Hemetsberger and Buntan will run it back on Feb. 13 at ONE Fight Night 40, this time for the Filipino-American’s kickboxing title.

Allycia Hellen Rodrigues set to defend her belt at ONE Fight Night 41

After Stella Hemetsberger’s bid for two-sport glory, her teammate Allycia Hellen Rodrigues will headline the promotion’s U.S. primetime event for March.

The ONE women’s atomweight Muay Thai queen will defend her 26 pounds of gold against atomweight kickboxing world champion Phetjeeja on March 13.

This epic female superfight is arguably one of the biggest matches in women’s striking.

Phetjeeja aims to achieve two-sport supremacy, while Rodrigues will seek her fourth title defense against her stiffest challenge yet.

Watch ONE Fight Night 40 and ONE Fight Night 41 live in U.S. primetime via Prime Video free for North American subscribers.