The bond between teammates at Phuket Fight Club will be on full display when Stella Hemetsberger attempts to become Austria's first ONE World Champion at ONE Fight Night 35 on 6 September.
Reigning ONE Women's Atomweight Muay Thai World Champion Allycia Hellen Rodrigues has been instrumental in Hemetsberger's preparation. She has served as both training partner and mentor as the 26-year-old Austrian challenges kickboxing queen Jackie Buntan for the vacant ONE Women's Strawweight Muay Thai World Title at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
Rodrigues, who captured her own title by defeating Stamp Fairtex in her ONE Championship debut, sees striking similarities between Hemetsberger's current trajectory and her own path.
"She arrived, had three beautiful fights. And now she's going to fight for the title because she deserves it, she's prepared to have this fight. Now her time has come. It's her turn to shine," Rodrigues declared.
The Salzburg native's journey to this moment has been marked by consistent improvement and dominant performances.
After earning three consecutive victories at ONE Friday Fights, Hemetsberger proved she belonged among the division's elite contenders.
Rodrigues has observed her teammate's growth firsthand throughout their sessions at Phuket Fight Club.
"Stella is a girl who works hard for her dreams. She's a very technical girl, but also very aggressive due to her kickboxing style. I have no words to describe Stella, because she is a very charismatic person. She is a person who wins over everyone around her," the Brazilian explained.
The emotional investment Rodrigues has in her teammate's success runs deeper than typical gym relationships.
She anticipates experiencing the same joy she felt during her own championship moment.
"When I see Stella winning this belt, I will feel the same thing I felt when it was me the first time. [I will be] proud of myself, of the team, of all the work done, and to see that everything we give up for our work was worth it," Rodrigues said.
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