Buntan vs Hemetsberger headlines ONE Fight Night 35 in Bangkok, Thailand, on September 5, 2025
Kouyate and Shadow throw down in a featherweight Muay Thai battle with World Title implications
Grappling star Tye Ruotolo to make long-awaited MMA debut against unbeaten teen Adrian Lee, and there will be more
On Friday, September 5, the martial arts world turns its eyes to Bangkok, Thailand’s iconic Lumpinee Stadium for ONE Fight Night 35: Buntan vs. Hemetsberger on Prime Video, airing live in U.S. primetime.
The card features eight explosive Muay Thai, MMA, and kickboxing matchups that will remind fans why they fell in love with the world’s largest martial arts organization in the first place.
Before the action gets underway, here are five reasons why ONE Fight Night 35 is must-see viewing.
#1: History Will Be Made In The Main Event
The main event will produce history when Jackie Buntan and Stella Hemetsberger collide for the vacant ONE Women’s Strawweight Muay Thai World Title.
For the Filipina-American Buntan, this is a long-awaited chance to add a second belt to her legacy. Already the reigning ONE Women’s Strawweight Kickboxing World Champion, she has won seven of her eight appearances in the promotion, dominating elite names such as Nat “Wondergirl” Jaroonsak and Martine “The Italian Queen” Michieletto.
Most recently, she defeated legendary French striker Anissa “C18” Meksen to capture her throne at ONE 169 in November last year.
This isn’t uncharted territory, however. At ONE 156 three years ago, Buntan made her first run at the Muay Thai crown but came up short. Since then, she has stepped into her prime years, fine-tuned her weapons, and proven herself as one of the division’s most reliable and dangerous strikers.
Now 28, the Boxing Works standout has the chance to turn that past disappointment into redemption and etch her name among the select few athletes who’ve conquered two sports on the global stage.
Hemetsberger, however, has no intention of playing a supporting role.
The Austrian knockout artist blasted her way through the ONE Friday Fights circuit with three straight wins across Muay Thai and kickboxing, culminating in a show-stopping first-round KO of Vanessa Romanowski at ONE Friday Fights 104.
That finish earned her a life-changing US$100,000 contract and an immediate call-up to the main roster – along with this golden opportunity. Victory would make Hemetsberger the first Austrian to capture ONE gold.
With Buntan hunting two-sport glory and Hemetsberger chasing history, the main event guarantees fireworks – and by the end of the night, the division will have its new queen.
#2: Next World Title Challengers Could Emerge
ONE Fight Night 35 won’t just crown a ONE World Champion in the main event – it could also reveal who’s next in line across two ultra-competitive divisions.
In featherweight Muay Thai, second-ranked contender Bampara Kouyate arrives with momentum and knockout power. The Frenchman has made waves with back-to-back stoppage victories over elite opponents.
First, he stormed back from a knockdown to stop American striking star Luke “The Chef” Lessei in the third round. Then he shocked the world by dropping former ONE World Title challenger Jo Nattawut three times to claim a first-round TKO.
Kouyate already holds the WMC Muay Thai World Title, but he knows that ONE gold is the ultimate prize. With his fearless approach and highlight-reel finishes, he’s closer than ever to a shot at the crown.
Standing across from him is third-ranked contender Shadow Singha Mawynn, a decorated competitor with one of the deepest resumes in the division.
After suffering a promotional debut loss, the former Rajadamnern Stadium Muay Thai World Champion has strung together five straight wins in ONE, including triumphs over former ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Title challenger Jimmy “JV01” Vienot and legendary Thai striker Sitthichai “Killer Kid” Sitsongpeenong.
His only recent setback came via no contest against “The Eagle” Mohamed Younes Rabah due to an accidental eye poke, a fight in which he looked sharp before the unfortunate ending.
Now, Shadow wants to erase doubt, extend his streak, and leave no question about his place in the World Title picture.
In featherweight MMA, undefeated Kyrgyz sensation Akbar “Bakal” Abdullaev is also hunting for another shot at gold.
The top-ranked contender boasts a spotless 12-0 record with a 100 percent finishing rate and already owns a win over reigning divisional king Tang Kai, though a weight miss overshadowed that performance.
At ONE Fight Night 35, he aims to deliver a clean, decisive statement that leaves no doubt about his credentials.
Across from him is Russian star Ibragim Dauev, who has quietly built a perfect 3-0 slate in ONE by dispatching dangerous foes like Pedro Dantas and Magomed Akaev.
His poised, methodical style has made him one of the division’s dark horses, and a win over Abdullaev would instantly thrust him into the World Title conversation.
The winners may find themselves as the next challengers for two of the most talent-rich divisions in the world’s largest martial arts organization.
#3: Grappling Superstar’s Long-Awaited MMA Debut
Few debuts in recent memory have been as highly anticipated as Tye Ruotolo’s first foray into mixed martial arts.
The 22-year-old phenom has already cemented his place in the grappling pantheon, compiling eight straight submission wins in ONE and capturing the inaugural ONE Welterweight Submission Grappling World Title.
Ruotolo’s resume is stacked with names. He has defeated multiple-time EBI Champion and former ONE Featherweight MMA World Title challenger Garry Tonon and most recently Dante Leon in a masterclass performance to defend his crown.
His blend of creativity, composure, and relentless pace has made him must-see viewing in every outing.
But MMA is a different animal. Strikes, wrestling, and ring control add new layers of danger – and Ruotolo knows he will be tested in ways grappling alone never could.
Waiting for him in a lightweight MMA showdown is Adrian “The Phenom” Lee, the undefeated 19-year-old prodigy from the storied Lee family. With three straight submission wins in ONE, Lee has shown that his talent runs every bit as deep as that of his World Champion siblings.
This battle is more than just a debut. It’s a generational collision – the grappling king stepping into uncharted waters against a hungry MMA finisher.
#4: Teenage Superstars With A Point To Prove
If the future of martial arts belongs to the next generation, ONE Fight Night 35 might be their proving ground. Two teenage sensations enter the ring with massive stakes attached to their performances.
Lee has already established himself as one of MMA’s brightest young stars. At just 19, he holds an unblemished record in ONE and each victory has come with authority, capped by a lightning-fast anaconda choke against Takeharu Ogawa at ONE 172.
Now, he faces the toughest test of his career against grappling wizard Ruotolo. A victory would silence any whispers and stamp him as a legitimate contender on merit alone.
On the striking side, Johan “Jojo” Ghazali looks to right the ship against Zakaria El Jamari in flyweight Muay Thai action.
Once hailed as the face of ONE’s teenage takeover thanks to viral knockouts and a US$100,000 contract, the 18-year-old American-Malaysian now finds himself in unfamiliar territory after back-to-back defeats.
For Ghazali, ONE Fight Night 35 is about redemption. A highlight-reel performance could reignite his meteoric rise, but another setback could stall it.
Fans tuning in will see the raw intensity of youth colliding with the demands of the world’s biggest stage. These teenagers aren’t just here to participate but to prove that the future is now.
#5: Undefeated Flyweights Fight For The Rankings
(@jcfernandezmorales)The flyweight kickboxing division has long been one of ONE’s most talent-rich rosters, and ONE Fight Night 35 adds another must-see clash with rankings implications written all over it.
Jordan Estupinan has stormed into the organization with ferocity. The Colombian striker has made waves by dismantling Freddie Haggerty and Ali Saldoev in Muay Thai, pushing his striking record to a spotless 9-0.
His forward-pressure style and refusal to take a backward step have made him and his twin sibling Johan “Panda Kick” Estupinan fan favorites in record time.
Now switching to kickboxing, he’ll face Hyu, another undefeated phenom with an 11-0 record. The Japanese technician has been flawless in ONE, most recently delivering a first-round knockout against El Jamari to extend his perfect run.
This matchup is a stylistic dream. Estupinan thrives on overwhelming pressure, while Hyu dissects opponents with precision and timing.
With a possible top-five spot in the flyweight rankings at stake, neither man can afford a misstep. Beyond that, the looming specters of top-ranked Rodtang “The Iron Man” Jitmuangnon and even divisional king Superlek “The Kicking Machine” Kiatmoo9 ensure that whoever wins here could immediately be thrust into the deepest waters possible.
