ONE Strawweight Muay Thai World Champion Stella Hemetsberger looks back on 2025 as the year dreams became reality, and the 26-year-old Austrian striker enters 2026 with even loftier ambitions, wanting to become her country's first-ever two-sport ONE World Champion.
Hemetsberger authored one of 2025's most inspiring success stories, transforming from developmental prospect to reigning champion in just months while compiling a perfect 3-0 record throughout the year.
Her remarkable journey began in April when she earned a coveted US$100,000 main roster contract by knocking out Vanessa Romanowski. Five months later, she made history by defeating ONE Women's Strawweight Kickboxing World Champion Jackie Buntan to capture the vacant ONE Women's Strawweight Muay Thai World Championship.
Reflecting on her breakthrough year, Hemetsberger expressed gratitude for the culmination of years of dedication.
"Last year was amazing. I accomplished a goal [of winning the ONE World Title]. It was a result of years of hard work and dedication that turned dreams into reality," the champion stated.
However, Hemetsberger refuses to rest on her accomplishments. February brings an opportunity to etch her name even deeper into Austrian combat sports history when she challenges Buntan once again, this time for the kickboxing crown in the main event of ONE Fight Night 40 at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
The rematch creates a compelling narrative as the two elite strikers switch disciplines, with Hemetsberger now pursuing Buntan's kickboxing title after defeating her in Muay Thai.
"It'll be another exciting fight again. Kickboxing is my discipline, and I'm looking forward to returning under these rules. I'm locked in on becoming a two-sport World Champion," Hemetsberger declared.
Should she defeat the 28-year-old Filipina-American striker on Valentine's Day, Hemetsberger would become not only Austria's first two-sport ONE World Champion but also one of the select few fighters to hold titles in both Muay Thai and kickboxing simultaneously.
Looking beyond the immediate challenge, Hemetsberger outlined her vision for continued growth throughout 2026.
"An ideal 2026 would be just to stay active, have a lot of good fights, put on a lot of good performances, and continuously improve my skills and get better," she explained.
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