ONE Championship returns to Bangkok’s iconic Lumpinee Stadium with ONE Fight Night 40: Buntan vs. Hemetsberger II on Prime Video, delivering another world-class martial arts spectacle this Friday, February 13, live in U.S. primetime.

The nine-bout extravaganza showcases explosive battles across MMA, Muay Thai, kickboxing, and submission grappling. With two World Titles hanging in the balance, glory awaits the victorious.

The headlining act features ONE Women’s Strawweight Kickboxing World Champion Jackie Buntan defending her throne against heated rival and divisional Muay Thai queen Stella “Always Hungry” Hemetsberger in a rematch five months in the making. 

In the co-main event, judges likely won’t be needed when feared finishers Nico “King of the North” Carrillo and Shadow Singha Mawynn collide for the ONE Interim Featherweight Muay Thai World Title.

Beyond these marquee attractions, the supporting card features elite talent determined to make statements and hungry contenders ready to seize their moment.

That said, here are three bouts that could steal the show on Friday night.

#1 Danny Kingad Vs. Hu Yong

Fireworks are inevitable when two hungry veterans seeking redemption collide to prove they still belong at the top of the flyweight MMA division.

Former World Title challenger Danny “The King” Kingad is eager to regain his footing after absorbing back-to-back defeats for the first time in his decorated career.

The same goes for Chinese powerhouse “Wolf Warrior” Hu Yong, who is looking to shake off recent setbacks and earn another crack at reigning ONE Flyweight MMA World Champion Yuya “Little Piranha” Wakamatsu.

Their paths collide in a pivotal moment that could define both careers.

Kingad brings a well-rounded arsenal honed through 11 promotional victories. The 30-year-old Filipino’s elite striking flows from his wushu background, while his ever-evolving grappling gives opponents problems across all phases.

“The King” drowns foes with his relentless pace and breaks their will with ungodly durability forged against legends like Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson and Adriano “Mikinho” Moraes.

But Hu threatens that iron chin with frightening one-punch knockout power that has spelled the demise of former divisional king Geje “Gravity” Eustaquio and Eko Roni Saputra.

The 29-year-old Beijing native’s entertaining sprawl-and-brawl style has sharpened considerably, with improved takedown defense and grappling skills allowing him to unleash destruction on the feet.

For the victor, a path back into World Title contention opens wide, while the loser faces an infinitely steeper climb.

#2 Fabricio Andrey Vs. Joao Pedro Bueno Mendes

Fabricio “Hokage” Andrey is on a warpath to secure his signature finish in ONE.

On the other side, promotional newcomer in IBJJF World Champion Joao Pedro Bueno Mendes aims to make a stunning first impression in his debut on the global stage.

When these two elite grapplers meet, expect nothing short of spectacular.

The 25-year-old Andrey stands among the most electrifying grapplers on the planet. His matches begin with an aerial assault of wild trips and throws. Once the action hits the mat, he applies suffocating pressure with slick passing sequences that leave rivals gasping for air.

Despite dominating Ashley Williams and Eduardo Granzotto, Andrey rues letting both bouts reach the final bell without securing a tap. Now, he’s motivated to flip the script, with a US$50,000 performance bonus and potential World Title shot fueling his hunger for his first highlight-reel submission in the world’s largest martial arts organization.

Meanwhile, Mendes carries his own fire after suffering an earlier defeat to Andrey outside the promotion. The 2025 IBJJF World Champion dominated his weight class in the gi and now seeks to prove his skills can translate seamlessly in a rash guard.

The 28-year-old standout possesses a similar pressure passing system, complemented by a dangerous attacking guard that constantly hunts for sweeps and submissions.

When two mirror-image styles collide in this all-Brazilian war, expect a high-level chess match with explosive scrambles and submission attempts flying from both sides.

#3 Diego Paez Vs. Black Panther

It’s open season in the flyweight Muay Thai division, and Diego Paez and Black Panther both look to step closer to the vacant throne.

These fiery strikers aim to open the show with a bang in what could become fight of the night.

The 32-year-old Paez is a battle-tested veteran whose refined striking is backed by insane grit and heart. After a razor-close loss to Sean Climaco in February, the Colombian-American bounced back in emphatic fashion.

Against highly touted Malaysian-American sensation Johan “Jojo” Ghazali last June, Paez displayed technical mastery with combinations coming from all angles to score a huge upset via split decision.

The Classic Fight Team product now looks to continue his momentum and take his career to new heights.

Standing in his way is Black Panther, who enters the contest on a surging four-fight winning streak. Like Paez, the 26-year-old Thai star fell short in his promotional debut before roaring back.

His last two wins showcased his killer instinct, delivering ferocious finishes over Ali Saldoev and Johan “Panda Kick” Estupinan.

With divisional supremacy hanging in the balance, both warriors will leave everything inside the ring hunting for the statement performance that will propel them into the World Title conversation.

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While the rest of the MMA world has marveled at Adrian “The Phenom” Lee‘s explosive finishing ability, Japanese star Shozo Isojima sees a young fighter whose reliance on early aggression masks critical weaknesses in his technical development.

The 28-year-old judoka will face Lee in a lightweight MMA bout at ONE Fight Night 40: Buntan vs. Hemetsberger II, live in U.S. primetime on Friday, February 13, from Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, after their original booking at ONE 172 fell through due to Isojima’s knee injury.

Now fully healthy and battle-tested from his previous MMA bout against ONE Welterweight Submission Grappling World Champion Tye Ruotolo, the same man who Lee also last fell against, Isojima believes he’s identified the path to victory against the 19-year-old phenom.

Lee’s three professional victories all came via submission in increasingly faster times, with his most recent win over Takeharu Ogawa lasting just 63 seconds.

The youngest of the fighting Lee siblings has built his reputation on overwhelming opponents from the opening bell with a whirlwind of offense that leaves little room for his rivals to breathe. But Isojima has studied that approach extensively and believes he knows exactly what’s coming.

He said:

“The moment the fight starts, he just rushes forward and throws strikes continuously. So that momentum, that youthfulness – I’m training to make sure I don’t get caught up in it.”

The second-degree judo black belt’s preparation extends beyond simply surviving Lee’s initial onslaught. Isojima has identified what he sees as a fundamental flaw in the Hawaiian’s game — an overreliance on that explosive start that betrays a lack of depth in the technical aspects of mixed martial arts.

So, when Lee’s signature aggression fails to produce an early finish, Isojima believes the younger fighter’s inexperience will be exposed.

Isojima said:

“I don’t think he’s quite there yet [in terms of] the finer details of creating transitions and developments. If the fight goes long rounds, I’m not sure how it would end, but I think that could be a weak point.”

That assessment carries particular weight given Lee’s most recent performance. Against Ruotolo at ONE Fight Night 35 last September, the teenager’s aggressive start was neutralized, and once his opponent established control, Lee struggled to adapt. The fight ended with Ruotolo securing a rear-naked choke in the second round, marking the first loss of Lee’s professional career.

Isojima plans to weaponize his judo expertise in the clinch, where he believes his transitions and technical prowess will overwhelm Lee’s raw athleticism.

After all, the Japanese fighter has made his living from trips and throws in close quarters, and he sees the clinch as the perfect environment to impose his game plan and drain Lee’s explosive energy.

“My strength is in the clinch – my transitions and developments when we’re tied up. I think I can establish control there.”

Isojima Brings Hard-Earned Lessons From Ruotolo Loss

The sting of defeat often reveals more about a fighter’s character than victory ever could, and for Shozo Isojima, his first-round submission loss to Tye Ruotolo at ONE 173 provided invaluable lessons that he’s eager to apply against Adrian Lee.

The 28-year-old has been brutally honest in his self-assessment following that November setback. Rather than making excuses, Isojima acknowledged that he failed to prepare for the shortened turnaround between fights, believing he could handle what proved to be an insufficient camp.

“In my last fight, I didn’t prepare my condition. The turnaround between fights was quite short, and I thought I could handle it, but I ended up not being fully prepared. That wasn’t good.

“But facing a top-level grappler like Tye Ruotolo, I didn’t feel like there was some tremendous physical difference. So I felt like if I properly prepare and step onto that stage, I can compete. That was a huge learning experience.”

That revelation carries significant weight for his approach to Lee. Despite the dominant nature of his loss, Isojima discovered something crucial during his brief time grappling with one of the world’s elite submission artists — he belonged at that level.

The physical disparity he might have feared simply wasn’t there, and that realization has fueled his confidence heading into this matchup.

Isojima remembered:

“At the Tokyo event, when I fought Tye Rutolo, even though I ended up getting pushed back in the first round, in that moment when we clinched, I didn’t really feel his power. So I think I can compete with world-class fighters there. I want to apply what I learned from that experience.”

With improved conditioning and a clear understanding of what to expect from Lee’s aggressive opening, Isojima has developed a specific timeline for how he envisions the fight to unfold.

His game plan centers on patience and technical superiority once the initial storm passes and the fight enters deeper water:

“If Adrian comes rushing in with momentum, I think I can weather that and then in the second round take a dominant position, score points, or get close to a finish. But if he comes out measuring things in that first rush, I think it could really be a tough three-round decision.”

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The world’s largest martial arts organization continues its 2026 U.S. primetime calendar with ONE Fight Night 40: Buntan vs. Hemetsberger II on Prime Video.

Broadcasting live from Bangkok’s legendary Lumpinee Stadium on Friday, February 13, the card features ONE Women’s Strawweight Kickboxing World Champion Jackie Buntan defending her title against heated rival and divisional Muay Thai queen Stella “Always Hungry” Hemetsberger.

Aside from the highly anticipated rematch in the main event, the nine-fight card delivers high-stakes drama across MMA, Muay Thai, kickboxing, and submission grappling.

With ONE World Championship implications and career-defining moments at stake, here are five burning questions surrounding ONE Fight Night 40.

#1 Can Buntan Get Her Revenge?

Jackie Buntan stood on the cusp of two-sport glory when she challenged for the vacant ONE Women’s Strawweight Muay Thai World Title at ONE Fight Night 35 last September.

However, Hemetsberger had other plans. The Austrian underdog unleashed ballistic right hands that sent the Filipina-American crashing to the canvas twice in the opening round. Riding that explosive momentum, Hemetsberger battled toward a unanimous decision victory and made history as Austria’s first ONE World Champion.

Despite fighting valiantly after the knockdowns and establishing her rhythm as the bout progressed, Buntan still came up short.

The Boxing Works affiliate went back to the drawing board immediately, studying every moment of the setback. Now, the opportunity for revenge has arrived, but the stakes are even higher and the roles have reversed.

Hemetsberger chases two-sport dominance by taking Buntan’s kickboxing strap, while the defending queen stands ready to protect what’s hers.

Under kickboxing rules, the dynamics shift entirely. Buntan aims to showcase her technical precision while neutralizing Hemetsberger’s height and reach advantages that troubled her last time.

With 26 pounds of gold on the line and pride demanding satisfaction, the reigning ruler enters with everything to prove.

#2 Who Will Emerge As The Featherweight Muay Thai Division’s Most Exciting Finisher?

Sparks will fly when the ONE Interim Featherweight Muay Thai World Title is contested in the co-main event.

Nico “King of the North” Carrillo‘s relentless pressure collides with Shadow Singha Mawynn‘s surgical precision striking. The contrast in styles promises fireworks.

Carrillo owns a perfect 100 percent finishing rate against elite opposition, including former ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion Nong-O Hama. His most recent victory over Luke “The Chef” Lessei at ONE Fight Night 37 showcased his ability to weather adversity before unleashing destruction. 

The Scottish powerhouse thrives in close quarters, detonating dynamite through unforgiving barrages that overwhelm opponents.

While Shadow may lack the same explosive fury, his methodical approach proves equally lethal. 

The 25-year-old Thai displayed otherworldly instincts with a highlight-reel spinning backfist knockout of Bampara Kouyate that left fans stunned.

For Carrillo, this represents redemption after his bantamweight title heartbreak. For Shadow, it marks the culmination of his inspiring rise.

The winner claims interim supremacy and a future unification bout against divisional king Tawanchai PK Saenchai once he returns from injury.

#3 Who Could Become The Next Contenders?

Two Brazilian stars will look to represent their nation with pride when Gabriela “Gabi” Fujimoto and Lucas Gabriel step into the ring this Friday for their respective bouts.

Both face stern tests against experienced opponents, but victories would announce their arrival as legitimate threats in their divisions.

Fujimoto enters her promotional debut carrying significant hype behind an unblemished 7-0 record. The KO Squad product showcases polished striking complemented by a dangerous ground game that has overwhelmed every opponent.

Standing in her way is one of the atomweight MMA division’s most respected veterans. Jihin “Shadow Cat” Radzuan has fought elite competition throughout her career and possesses the experience to expose any weakness.

Turning 23 on fight night, Fujimoto looks to celebrate with a statement victory on the global stage.

Meanwhile, the lightweight MMA showdown between Gabriel and Magomed Akaev finally materializes after two injury-related postponements.

The 26-year-old Brazilian has raced to a perfect 3-0 start in the promotion, blending elite BJJ mastery with continuously improving striking. His toughest challenge awaits against an undefeated Dagestani boasting strong wrestling credentials and a flawless 10-0 record.

An impressive showing could thrust Gabriel among the elite in the stacked lightweight division.

#4 Why Do Kingad and Black Panther Have The Most To Gain?

Danny “The King” Kingad and Black Panther arrive through vastly different paths, but both stand to benefit enormously from impressive performances.

Kingad has remained a fixture near the top of the flyweight MMA pantheon for years and has come close to 26 pounds of gold on multiple occasions. However, the division has evolved dramatically, and the Filipino veteran finds himself navigating a two-fight skid for the first time in his decorated career.

At 30 years old and returning from an extended layoff due to injury and family obligations, the father of two must prove he still belongs among the elite. Dangerous knockout specialist “Wolf Warrior” Hu Yong provides the perfect litmus test.

Meanwhile, Black Panther enters riding the best stretch of his career. After a devastating promotional debut loss, the Thai striker channeled that pain into a four-fight winning streak that has turned heads across the flyweight Muay Thai division.

Signature knockouts over Ali Saldoev and Johan “Panda Kick” Estupinan announced his arrival among the elite. 

With the throne currently vacant, another spectacular finish against Diego Paez could cement his status as one of the division’s most dangerous contenders. 

#5 Which Young Star Will Get His Promising Career Back On Track? 

Adrian “The Phenom” Lee and Shozo “Great Teacher” Isojima carried supreme confidence after flawless starts to their MMA careers.

Now their paths collide in this pivotal lightweight MMA showdown after both suffered humbling setbacks. 

Lee hails from MMA’s most respected dynasty. Under the guidance of his older brother, two-division ONE MMA World Champion Christian “The Warrior” Lee, the 19-year-old phenom blitzed through his first three opponents with spectacular finishes.

That momentum halted abruptly last September when ONE Welterweight Submission Grappling World Champion Tye Ruotolo submitted him in an exhilarating clash.

On the other side, Isojima notched a spotless 6-0 record and earned a $50,000 performance bonus in his promotional debut. But the Japanese standout ran into a brick wall at ONE 173, where he met the same fate as Lee.

Remarkably, Ruotolo shattered both undefeated records via a rear-naked choke.

Now these supremely talented stars meet, each desperate to prove their first loss was merely a learning experience.

Both possess ONE World Championship-level potential, but only one can reignite his ascent in the stacked lightweight division.

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