"I want to prove myself" - Danielle Kelly out to make a statement in 'pretty competitive matchup' vs Mayssa Bastos
Danielle Kelly only has one thing on her mind as she shifts into gear for her promotional return at ONE Fight Night 24.
The inaugural ONE atomweight submission grappling world champion puts her gold on the line for the first time inside Bangkok's legendary Lumpinee Stadium on August 2. She goes toe-to-toe against proven ground game wizard Mayssa Bastos.
As a fighter who refuses to rest on her laurels, the Silver Fox BJJ affiliate has left no stone unturned in her quest to showcase her improvements and prove why she is one of the best at what she does.
Despite that confidence, the 28-year-old expects Bastos to come with textbook counters and a variety of attacks to cut her title reign short.
Speaking on her opponent's level and her mindset heading into her fifth contest under the ONE banner, Danielle Kelly told Home of Fight:
"This is going to be a pretty competitive matchup, you know. I want to prove myself always."
The Philadelphia native has been in the form of her life since putting pen to paper with the world's largest martial arts organization in February 2022.
After opening her account with an impressive showing against Mei Yamaguchi, the American grappling specialist has reeled in three successive triumphs against Mariia Molchanova, Ayaka Miura, and longtime nemesis Jessa Khan in a world title fixture.
Watch the full interview here:
Danielle Kelly says ring rust won't derail her in Mayssa Bastos clash
Although she's had to wait for almost 11 months for her first world title defense, the Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt believes ring rust won't entirely be one of her main concerns.
Danielle Kelly, in the same interview, added:
"I'm not going to lie, it's kind of new to me cause I mean, I haven't competed since, like, back in September, and just like competing in there, it's going to feel like a little new."
"So, I kind of, I'm going to have probably like ring rust or something. But, you know, everyone's pushing me in my team, so I'm pretty confident."
Find out if she can carry on her unbeaten streak in ONE Championship by tuning in to ONE Fight Night 24 on August 2. Active Amazon Prime Video subscribers in the United States and Canada can watch the U.S. primetime card for free.