Stella Hemetsberger has two ONE World Championship belts, a growing global profile, and a headlining spot at ONE Fight Night 46.
But ask the Austrian superstar how fame has changed her, and the answer is refreshingly grounded. The reigning ONE Women's Strawweight Muay Thai and Kickboxing World Champion defends her Muay Thai crown for the first time against Natalia Diachkova in the main event on Saturday, August 15, live from Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
Despite the enormity of her historic achievements, Hemetsberger remains remarkably unchanged by the spotlight.
"Honestly, I feel very weird talking about myself, like, as a star, because I feel like I'm still the same person. Like, for me, it hasn't changed that much. But yeah, it's cool to have achieved those goals in ONE Championship," she said.
Her second win over Jackie Buntan carried its own particular satisfaction for the Austrian champion.
Claiming the Muay Thai belt was a historic moment, but going back and defeating the same opponent in a different rule set proved something deeper about the quality and adaptability that defines Hemetsberger as a two-sport champion.
"Since I became a double champion, it's just been amazing. I'm really happy I could get the win in the second fight as well [against Jackie Buntan] and just prove myself. I'm super happy with how it went," she explained.
With two belts secured and a first Muay Thai title defense on the horizon, the Austrian shows no signs of settling into comfort. If anything, the double belt has only fed a hunger that her nickname has always promised.
"I think that experience of becoming a double champion gives me the motivation to always get better and become a better fighter. Each fight, I'm aiming to get better and better until I'm the best version of myself," she added.
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