“An opportunity for growth” - Danielle Kelly ready to reclaim her throne from Mayssa Bastos at ONE Fight Night 26
Danielle Kelly isn't letting one loss stop her from reclaiming her throne.
The American superstar will face tormentor Mayssa Bastos in her bid to reclaim the ONE atomweight submission grappling world title at the stacked ONE Fight Night 26 card on Dec. 6 at the historic Lumpinee Stadium.
Kelly is on a quest not just to return to her throne, but also to avenge her only loss in the promotion against Bastos.
Taking to Instagram, Kelly shared her mindset nearly a month before her world title rematch against the Brazilian superstar.
Danielle Kelly wrote:
"Every challenge is an opportunity for growth. December 6th is right around the corner."
Kelly was riding a strong wave of momentum when she put the ONE atomweight submission grappling world title on the line against Bastos at ONE Fight Night 24 earlier this year.
The Silver Fox BJJ grappler was coming off three straight wins against Mariia Molchanova, Ayaka Miura, and Jessa Khan ahead of her matchup against Bastos in August.
Bastos, however, showed why she's often considered one of the best of the generation. The nine-time IBJJF world champion went hold-for-hold with Kelly and ultimately secured the unanimous decision win from the judges.
Kelly now has a chance at poetic revenge when she takes on Bastos at the same arena where she previously relinquished her submission grappling throne.
ONE Fight Night 26 is available live and free to all Prime Video subscribers in the United States and Canada.
Danielle Kelly reflects on two decades of practicing Brazilian jiu-jitsu
Danielle Kelly wouldn't be where she's in without Brazilian jiu-jitsu.
Apart from her athletic achievements, Kelly found solace, confidence, and self-identity with 'The Gentle Art'.
Taking to Instagram, Kelly reflected on the 20 years she's spent practicing BJJ and how the sport shaped her personality and career.
She wrote:
"Twenty years of jiu jitsu 💪 from NAGA tournaments to the big stage where thousands watch me and also now teaching others in the next generation. I remember my dad took me and my brothers to a Tiger Schulmann's karate class in Northeast Philly, I learned how to do a takedown and break grips."
Kelly added:
"I was the only one out of my family that stuck with it 😂 a year later found a school that does jiu-jitsu after having a hard time in school and stuck with it. Since then I have competed in both BJJ, wrestling, and softball. The journey still continues."