Stella Hemetsberger is Ready for Natalia Diachkova's Knockout Power at ONE Fight Night 46

The 27-year-old Austrian defends her ONE Women's Strawweight Muay Thai World Title against Russian challenger Natalia Diachkova in the main event of ONE Fight Night 46 on Friday, August 14, live from Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.

Hemetsberger's rise through ONE Championship has been built on relentless hard work. She began her journey through ONE Friday Fights, claimed three consecutive victories to earn a US$100,000 main roster contract, and then defeated Jackie Buntan via unanimous decision to capture the vacant ONE Women's Strawweight Muay Thai World Title and become Austria's first-ever ONE World Champion.

Five months later, she defeated Buntan again via split decision to claim the kickboxing crown, becoming only the third two-sport women's champion in ONE Championship history.

Hemetsberger's Goal is Evolution at ONE Fight Night 46

A two-sport champion walking into her first title defense could be forgiven for focusing on protecting what she has built. Hemetsberger has a different frame for ONE Fight Night 46 on August 14.

"My mindset hasn't changed. I'm always working hard, and my main goal is to become better, evolve, and get more skills as a fighter. Of course, I have two belts to defend, but the main goal is to give my best performance," Hemetsberger said.

Her 5-0 ONE record and 10-1 career mark reflect a champion who has backed up her ambitions at every stage. The RS-GYM and Phuket Fight Club product has absorbed everything ONE Championship's women's strawweight division has thrown at her and kept moving forward.

Double Champion Acknowledges Diachkova's Knockout Power

The Austrian has not underestimated the Russian's ability to change the outcome of any fight in a single moment. Hemetsberger has watched Diachkova's work carefully and factored the most significant threat into her camp preparation.

“She has powerful hands. She has done well to earn her title shot. It's also not my first time watching my opponents' fights and seeing people getting knocked out. Her power is something that we have taken into consideration for our preparation," she explained.

Diachkova arrives at ONE Fight Night 46 as a dangerous first test for the title reign. The 31-year-old Russian, who represents Team Mehdi Zatout, holds a 32-5 career record and a 6-1 ONE mark with four knockouts, having bounced back from an unsuccessful title challenge with two convincing victories to earn a second shot.

Hemetsberger Draws Confidence from Never Being Knocked Down in Her Career

With all the work done and August 14 rapidly approaching, Hemetsberger arrives at her first title defense with a specific source of confidence that her professional record supports entirely.

"Having won five rounds and never been knocked out once in any of my professional fights before gives me confidence. It shows my fighting heart and spirit. But that does not mean I take whatever awaits me lightly or with overconfidence. I would say I just have the right healthy amount of confidence as always," she said.

That calibrated confidence, neither reckless nor cautious, has been the hallmark of Hemetsberger's title-winning performances against Buntan. Diachkova's knockout power and the pressure of a first title defense will test the Austrian's composure in ways her previous fights have not.

ONE Fight Night 46 takes place on Friday, August 14, at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, and broadcasts live on Prime Video.