Natalia Diachkova On Loss Ahead Of ONE Fight Night 46 Title Fight

Natalia Diachkova is set for the biggest fight of her career as she challenges two-sport ONE World Champion Stella Hemetsberger for the ONE Strawweight Muay Thai World Title. The bout headlines ONE Fight Night 46 on Saturday, August 15, with Diachkova representing Team Mehdi Zatout.

Diachkova enters with a striking record of 32-5 and a ONE mark of 6-1. Across from her stands the 27-year-old Hemetsberger, an Austrian fighter who brings a 10-1 striking record into the main event at ONE Fight Night 46.

Diachkova’s path to the title shot

Diachkova’s career began in wrestling before she moved into Muay Thai. Her first kickboxing fight carried deep personal pain, as she recalled how her father died only two weeks later, after proudly showing her silver medal to people in the street.

“After I lost my first fight, my dad was walking in the streets with my silver medal, telling everybody about me, he was so proud of me. And in just two weeks after my first fight, he died,” Diachkova said.

From hardship to ONE title contention

Diachkova also spoke about the role of her coach, who became a father figure during hard years marked by family illness and tough living conditions. She said they once shared one patty and lived in the basement of their gym while her grandmother was ill.

“My coach was like both father and coach to me. There were times when we shared one patty and even lived in the basement of our gym. Those were difficult times when my grandmother was ill. He was a good father and leader,” she said. Diachkova reached the main roster after four straight wins in ONE Friday Fights in 2023, earning a six-figure contract.

Looking ahead to a possible title win, Diachkova said the goal reflects lessons from childhood and a lifelong bond with Muay Thai. “What it means for me to be a World Champion? Firstly, I was told this from my childhood, only a bad captain doesn’t want to be a general. I love Muay Thai. I’ve been doing it all my life,” Diachkova said.