“I want to enjoy my summer” - Danielle Kelly rules out Denver appearance at ONE 168
Reigning and undisputed ONE women's atomweight submission grappling world champion Danielle Kelly of the United States is getting ready to make the first defense of her ONE Championship gold, but already, the questions come flying in regarding a potential appearance in September's ONE 168.
ONE 168 is set for the Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado, on Friday, September 6th, and is ONE Championship's epic return to U.S. soil. Last year, the promotion held its first-ever live event on-ground in the continental U.S., with ONE Fight Night 10: Johnson vs. Moraes III on Prime Video at Denver's 1stBank Arena.
However, Kelly believes that the turnaround between now and September may be too quick for her. The 28-year-old star says she needs to slow things down and has ruled out an appearance at the Ball Arena.
She told Sportskeeda MMA in an exclusive interview:
"Yeah, I want to enjoy my summer, you know. It's been a long camp, and then I get someone like Mayssa Bastos in my first title defense. So, you know, it was a little mental, you know. It was a little mental, you know, just my mental through this camp. So I just want to enjoy after this match is over, enjoy the rest of my summer, and then I would like to watch the fights in Denver. I'm really looking forward to like a lot of the main event and the co-main."
Danielle Kelly to defend atomweight gold against Mayssa Bastos at ONE Fight Night 24 on Prime Video
Atomweight submission grappling queen Danielle Kelly is set to do battle with decorated multi-time BJJ world champion Mayssa Bastos for the ONE women's atomweight submission grappling world title.
The two will clash in the co-main event of ONE Fight Night 24: Brooks vs. Balart on Prime Video, which will air live from the historic Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, on Friday, August 2nd, in U.S. primetime.
Fans in the United States and Canada can catch all the action live and absolutely free with an active Amazon Prime Video subscription. Stay tuned to Sportskeeda MMA for all the latest news and updates surrounding the event.