"I used to be intimidated by it" - Danielle Kelly no longer fazed by Mayssa Bastos' signature berimbolo
Even ONE atomweight submission grappling world champion Danielle Kelly admits being in awe of Mayssa Bastos' signature berimbolo - a move that allowed her to reach the pinnacle of Brazilian jiu-jitsu.
While the American champ respects her upcoming challenger's skills, she feels no fear whatsoever entering her first world title defense.
A grappling dream fight for the ages will go down this Friday in the co-main event of ONE Fight Night 24: Brooks vs Balart on Prime Video. Kelly and Bastos will tussle in a 10-minute grapple-fest to see who leaves Bangkok's legendary Lumpinee Stadium with the atomweight submission grappling crown.
Speaking to ONE, Kelly confidently said she can handle Bastos' potent back-taking arsenal and continue her dominant run in the home of martial arts:
"On the berimbolo stuff, I used to be intimidated by it. But I feel like if I just kinda go in there, get in her face, and be aware of what she's trying to do, and what her best things are, it will help me."
Moreover, the Silver Fox BJJ athlete promises to put Bastos on the defensive using her own world-class weapons, adding:
"I can't just focus on one thing she's good at. I have to just keep attacking. I've been working a lot of [her] weaknesses too, in my defense."
Danielle Kelly says beating Mayssa Bastos will prove she's the best
Mayssa Bastos, a nine-time IBJJF world champion, is truly more credentialed than Danielle Kelly. Well, on paper, at least.
The 28-year-old BJJ ace, though, is used to being the underdog and doesn't mind proving herself one more time.
In the same interview, Danielle Kelly gave an honest assessment about the magnitude of this match-up:
"I'm gonna be the best. It means I'm the best 115-pounder because she's beaten every girl literally in the division, or I think every girl. For the most part, yeah, every girl. Every girl in gi and no-gi."
ONE Fight Night 24 will air live in US Primetime, free of charge for Prime Video subscribers in the United States and Canada.