Danielle Kelly open to revisiting grappling match against Rose Namajunas
American submission grappling expert Danielle Kelly is making her name well known in the combat sports world through ONE Championship. However, in Brazilian jiu-jitsu circles, she was already becoming a big name due to who she was facing.
Prior to her debut in ONE Championship, the American grappling ace defeated notable names such as Roxanne Modafferi, Cynthia Calvillo, and former UFC world champion Carla Esparza, among others.
Danielle Kelly was also booked to face former UFC flyweight champion Rose Namajunas. The bout didn't materialize, but Kelly is still interested in this matchup.
In an interview with Game Breakers, Kelly explained:
"There’s a lot of rematches I would love to have but dream matchup, I was supposed to go against Rose but, Rose Namajunas, like two or about a year ago but then she had COVID so that never happened but that would be a cool match."
Before she can start squaring up with Namajunas, Kelly must get past her upcoming opponent 'Zombie' Ayaka Miura on February 24. At ONE Fight Night 7 on Prime Video, Danielle Kelly will face the dangerous judo specialist at the iconic Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok.
All the action will be broadcast live and for free on Prime Video for all Amazon subscribers across North America.
Danielle Kelly not looking to leave it in the hands of the judges
Brazilian jiu-jitsu specialist Danielle Kelly is not looking to leave her upcoming matchup in the hands of the judges. Kelly will be looking to stop the Japanese judoka Ayaka Miura with a submission. In an interview with ONE Championship, the US-born athlete said:
"I’d be submitting her. I would like to get a choke. I think leglocks are starting to be overrated, but I mean, if I get a leglock then I'll just go for it, but I don't want to just have tunnel vision on it."
Fans are eagerly awaiting the showdown between the two submission experts booked for ONE Fight Night 7 on February 24. Kelly will enter this match with a size disadvantage and take on a highly skilled opponent. All of Ayaka Miura’s wins in ONE Championship have come via submission, and she will be looking to take a limb home with her when she faces Kelly later this month.