Stella Hemetsberger made a commanding first defence of her ONE Women’s Strawweight Muay Thai World Title, stopping Natalia Diachkova by knockout in the third round of the main event at ONE Fight Night 46 on Friday 14th August at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
The two-sport world champion also earned a US$50,000 performance bonus for the finish.
Neither fighter rushed into anything in the first round. Both women spent time measuring each other before Diachkova opened up with a sharp boxing combination that made Hemetsberger take notice.
The Russian challenger then caught an incoming kick from the champion and used it to put Hemetsberger on the canvas, closing the first round with a statement of her own.
The champion came out with more intent in the second round. Hemetsberger began landing right hands and pressing forward, forcing Diachkova onto the back foot.
Diachkova responded with punches of her own and looked dangerous in exchanges, but Hemetsberger was composed. She used the clinch effectively whenever the challenger threatened to build combinations. The round was competitive but the champion was beginning to impose herself.
The third round told a different story entirely. Hemetsberger came out with full confidence and drove a left kick into Diachkova’s liver. The shot landed cleanly and visibly hurt the challenger.
Diachkova buckled. Hemetsberger waited just long enough and landed the same kick to the same spot again. As the Russian turned toward the ropes, the champion closed the fight with a three-punch combination followed by a knee that left the referee with no choice but to step in. The stoppage came at 1:46 of the third round.
