“I’m just kind of studying her” - Danielle Kelly says focus has been on Mayssa Bastos’s techniques heading into ONE Fight Night 24
It's been nearly a year since we last saw Danielle Kelly in action.
That changes on Friday, August 2, when the first-ever ONE atomweight submission grappling world champion puts her 26 pounds of gold on the line for the first time at ONE Fight Night 24 inside the legendary Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok.
There, Kelly will square off with eight-time BJJ world champion Mayssa Bastos in what is sure to be the Philadephia native's toughest test yet inside the Circle.
During a recent interview with Home of Fight, Kelly offered some insight into her preparation, saying:
"I had an idea that I was going to go against her. She's been competing the whole time. So I'm just kind of studying her and just working on what I'm good at."
While Kelly has been busy establishing herself as the face of women's BJJ, Bastos has been grinding behind the scenes, amassing an impressive 115-12 record, including a victory in her ONE Championship debut earlier this year.
Danielle Kelly ready to prove herself as the best in the world at ONE Fight Night 24
ONE Championship fans first became acquainted with Mayssa Bastos at ONE Fight Night 20 in March when she secured a unanimous decision victory over Kanae Yamada.
That victory has set the stage for her scrap with Danielle Kelly and the opportunity to become a ONE world champion in just her sophomore appearance with the promotion.
Being very familiar with Bastos' work in the world of BJJ, Kelly is more than welcoming of the challenge, looking at it as an opportunity to show the world that she truly is the best female grappler in the sport today.
"I've always looked up to her, even the first major tournament I did she won it. She pretty much won everything. She beat every girl at 115 (lbs), 105 (lbs). So this is my chance to really prove that I'm the best.
ONE Championship fans in the United States and Canada can watch ONE Fight Night 24 live and for free via Amazon Prime Video in U.S. primetime on Friday, August 2.