"I don't know if I want to get elbowed" - Danielle Kelly gets candid about possible MMA transition
With Brazilian jiu-jitsu and submission grappling becoming more accepted in the mainstream in recent years, Danielle Kelly doesn't see the need to transition to mixed martial arts.
In the past, BJJ athletes were somewhat forced to take the leap to MMA due to little to no opportunities in the grappling arts.
ONE Championship, of course, has given some of the best talents in the sport the perfect platform to showcase their skills on the global stage through its grappling divisions.
While moving to MMA will always be an option for Kelly since ONE caters to multiple combat sports, she's admittedly not too keen on putting on the four-ounce gloves.
For the time being, at least...
The reigning ONE atomweight submission grappling world champion explained during her appearance on The Few Will Hunt Show:
"No, unless they're paying me 500K, fine. But if I'm getting paid for jiu-jitsu, especially today [when] athletes are getting paid. I don't know if I want to get elbowed or break my nose. I guess I'll [also] get my face broken in jiu-jitsu matches."
Here's the full interview:
Danielle Kelly's choice is quite understandable, considering she still wants to prove herself in 'The Gentle Art'.
The Silver Fox BJJ standout will get to do just that on Aug. 2, when she faces another decorated adversary in her first world title defense at ONE Fight Night 24.
Mayssa Bastos gunning for a submission win over Danielle Kelly
Danielle Kelly's first order of business as atomweight grappling queen is to defend her throne against Mayssa Bastos.
The nine-time IBJJF world champion is indeed a worthy foe, who plans to end Kelly's reign in the most definitive way possible.
Bastos told ONE Championship:
"I think the fight will end in submission - at least that will be my goal from start to finish. I don't know where the submission will come from, but I give you the certainty of seeking control of the fight until the submission."
ONE Fight Night 24: Brooks vs. Balart on Prime Video will air live in US primetime, free of charge for those with a Prime Video subscription in North America.