Reigning ONE Women’s Strawweight Muay Thai World Champion Stella Hemetsberger reflected on her extraordinary 2025 breakthrough while setting her sights on becoming Austria’s first-ever two-sport ONE Championship titleholder in 2026.
Stella Hemetsberger, the 26-year-old Austrian sensation discussed how years of dedication culminated in capturing her nation’s first ONE World Title before revealing her excitement about challenging Jackie Buntan for the kickboxing crown in her preferred discipline.
Stella Hemetsberger compiled a perfect 3-0 record throughout 2025, claiming the prestigious US$100,000 contract in April before defeating Buntan via unanimous decision in September to capture the vacant ONE Women’s Strawweight Muay Thai World Championship.
The RS-GYM and Phuket Fight Club representative will headline ONE Fight Night 40 on Friday, February 13, seeking to add the kickboxing throne to her collection while cementing her status among strawweight striking’s dominant forces.
Stella Hemetsberger Celebrates Championship Dream Realized
Speaking about her historic 2025 campaign, the champion emphasized how achieving her world title goal represented the culmination of years spent pursuing martial arts excellence. Hemetsberger expressed gratitude that her dedication and sacrifices produced the championship success she had visualized throughout her journey.
“Last year was amazing. I accomplished a goal [of winning the ONE World Title]. A really big one. It was a result of years of hard work and dedication that turned dreams into reality. It’s been an amazing year. I’m very happy with how everything turned out, and I’m glad the hard work I put in paid off,” Stella Hemetsberger said.
The September title victory over Filipino-American superstar Buntan at ONE Fight Night 35 represented a defining moment for Austrian martial arts. Hemetsberger became her nation’s first-ever ONE World Champion while establishing herself as a legitimate threat across multiple striking disciplines.
Kickboxing Specialist Stella Hemetsberger Eager for Title Shot in Preferred Discipline
Looking ahead to her February 13 rematch with Buntan, the Muay Thai queen expressed enthusiasm about competing under kickboxing rules where she feels most comfortable. Hemetsberger acknowledged fan interest in their rematch while emphasizing her determination to capture two-sport championship status.
“This is something many fans want to see. And 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 explained.
Buntan brings a 27-7 professional striking record built through victories over accomplished opponents. The Filipino-American titleholder’s experience and proven finishing ability make her a formidable obstacle for anyone seeking kickboxing gold. However, Stella Hemetsberger’s September victory demonstrated her capability to solve Buntan’s striking puzzles.
Austrian Star Prioritizes Activity and Continuous Improvement for 2026
Outlining her vision for the coming year, Hemetsberger emphasized maintaining activity while continuously refining her skills against top competition. The Austrian expressed gratitude for support received throughout her breakthrough campaign while committing to sustained excellence moving forward.
“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. That’ll be an ideal year, just always striving to get better and be better. I’m very thankful for all the support I’ve received throughout last year,” Hemetsberger said.
Her commitment to improvement despite already holding gold reflects the mentality that sustains dominant reigns. A victory over Buntan would make Stella Hemetsberger Austria’s first two-sport ONE world champion while establishing her as the strawweight striking division’s most accomplished competitor.
