The scorecards were read, the second belt fastened around her waist. Inside the hallowed walls of Lumpinee Stadium, Stella “Always Hungry” Hemetsberger stood as a two-sport ONE World Champion.
On Friday, February 13, at ONE Fight Night 40: Buntan vs. Hemetsberger II in U.S. primetime, the Austrian sensation defeated Filipina-American rival Jackie Buntan by split decision in their rematch to capture the ONE Women’s Strawweight Kickboxing World Title.
Already the owner of the divisional Muay Thai crown, the 27-year-old became just the third woman in ONE Championship history to win World Titles in two striking disciplines after Stamp Fairtex and Janet “JT” Todd.
The achievement carried personal and national weight, and in the immediate aftermath, the emotion was unmistakable.
The newly minted two-sport queen said:
“I feel amazing. I’m feeling incredible. In other words, it just feels amazing, incredible. Very happy, very happy.”
The rematch with Buntan came five months after their first meeting under Muay Thai rules, where Hemetsberger edged the California resident in a tightly contested bout that featured two first-round knockdowns.
This time, the rules shifted to kickboxing. Clinching was prohibited, elbows were outlawed, and sustained output across five rounds became the defining factor.
Across 15 minutes of solid action, the exchanges were sharp and layered. Buntan’s hand speed and combinations created moments of pressure, but Hemetsberger answered with measured counters, body kicks, and steady combinations of her own. Even in the championship rounds, the Austrian fighter’s rhythm never wavered.
Reflecting on the difference between the two encounters with Buntan, Hemetsberger pointed to the structure of this fight and the consistency she maintained from start to finish.
“Always Hungry” said:
“It was different. In the first fight, I managed to get the two knockdowns in the first round, which determined the fight. This fight, I think I managed to put on a good five-round fight and stay good until the end, showing my skill set again.
“It was a different fight from the first fight because in the first fight the knockdowns had a big influence in the fight, but I think in this fight I could show that over five rounds, I was the better fighter.”
Hemetsberger Looks Ahead After Historic Night In Bangkok
At ONE Fight Night 40 inside Bangkok’s Lumpinee Stadium, Stella Hemetsberger didn’t just defeat Jackie Buntan — she once again made history in the world’s largest martial arts organization.
The Austrian now holds both the ONE Women’s Strawweight Muay Thai and Kickboxing World Titles. With two belts secured, the focus shifted from rivalry to responsibility.
Hemetsberger has consistently spoken about her respect for the Filipina-American, and that tone did not change after the rematch. Whether a trilogy materializes or a new challenger emerges, she is not forcing the narrative.
For now, Hemetsberger is focused on carrying the weight of two divisions.
She said:
“I’ll defend whatever. But I felt really good in kickboxing again today. I really like kickboxing rules. I like Muay Thai as well. We’ll see about the future, but I felt good in kickboxing. I like kickboxing, but being a double champ, we’ll see what comes next.
“I don’t like to call out any names. I think anyone who will come along my way to fight me, to challenge me for the belt will be a strong challenge for sure. There are no easy fights as a champion. We’ll see whatever comes, I’ll put in the work and put on another great fight again.”
Hemetsberger’s composure now stands in sharp contrast to where the journey began – far from World Title main events and global recognition.
After building her name on the European circuit, “Always Hungry” entered the ONE Friday Fights weekly spectacle in late 2024 at the very same Lumpinee Stadium, stringing together three straight wins to earn a US$100,000 contract and a place on the global roster.
From there, the climb accelerated. She became Austria’s first ONE World Champion — and now its first double champion.
Her closing words returned to that broader meaning.
Hemetsberger offered:
“Big thank you to everyone back home – my team back home, my friends back home, the police supporting me along my career. And every single person in Austria. We’ve made history in general, being the first Austrian fighter in ONE Championship, becoming the first Austrian champion, and becoming the first Austrian double champion, we’ve written history.
“It makes me very happy to represent such a small country that’s not that big on the fighting world on the global stage and make people more aware of Austria, as well.”