Four years of shared sessions at Phuket Fight Club give the Austrian striker a better view of Allycia Hellen Rodrigues than most people ever get. What she has seen leaves no room for doubt.
Stella Hemetsberger — the reigning two-sport ONE Women’s Strawweight World Champion — is backing her close friend and training partner to retain the ONE Women’s Atomweight Muay Thai World Title when Rodrigues defends against “The Queen” Phetjeeja Lukjaoporongtom in the main event of The Inner Circle 19 on Friday, June 19, streaming live for members from Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
Hemetsberger has been home in Austria throughout camp and admits she was not there for the preparation. But knowing Rodrigues’ habits at the gym makes that irrelevant.
She is certain the Brazilian has not taken a single day off from the standard she has always held herself to.
“I haven’t been able to be there because I was at home, but I know Allycia and how hard she works,” she said.
“I’m certain she has been training like she always does – 100 percent locked in, grinding every day, and doing everything in her power to be an even better [version of herself] from the time we last saw her in the ring.”
Stella Hemetsberger’s message for her amiga
Stella Hemetsberger has watched Rodrigues evolve since they first shared a mat in 2022. At that point, Rodrigues was already ONE Women’s Atomweight Muay Thai World Champion and the standard Hemetsberger wanted to reach. Four years on, the Austrian holds two belts of her own and still thinks Rodrigues is the finest female striker in the world.
Hemetsberger has no hesitation about Friday’s outcome. Phetjeeja arrives undefeated in eight ONE Championship appearances, but the Austrian has seen up close what Rodrigues brings to a world title fight.
“Allycia will remain champion and get the win. It is, of course, not going to be an easy fight,” she said.
“But if there is one person who can neutralize Phetjeeja, it is Allycia. Let’s all remember who it is that Phetjeeja will be facing.”
She will not be ringside on Friday. But she will be watching, and she has a message ready to send before the bell.
“Amiga, I can’t wait to watch you put on a great performance and fight. You’ve put in all the hard work. Now it’s time for the fun part,” she said.
“Go and show them why you are the best in the world. We all will be cheering for you.”