"It's for my legacy" - Mayssa Bastos says the ONE atomweight submission grappling title is special to her career
Mayssa Bastos continued her track record for winning big wherever she goes this past weekend at ONE Fight Night 24. The Brazilian competitor has been on an absolute tear in recent times, accumulating a staggering number of wins and accomplishments.
When she made the decision to compete in the atomweight division under the ONE Championship banner, there was only ever one goal in sight.
A debut win earlier this year set her up to challenge Danielle Kelly for the ONE atomweight submission grappling world championship.
The contest was a close one, but the judges ended up scoring it in favor of the challenger at the end of the 10-minute duration.
In her post-fight interviews after becoming the world champion, Bastos spoke about what this win means to her.
She was overjoyed to have made history for both herself and her country:
"It's special because I'm the first Brazilian to ever win [the ONE grappling title], especially because it was a title that I did not have yet, and also [it's] for my legacy. So I think that's it."
Watch the full post-fight interview below:
Mayssa Bastos showed why she is world-class
There isn't much that Mayssa Bastos hasn't already achieved in her submission grappling career.
She's already beaten many of the top names in her weight class but she was able to tick off Danielle Kelly and a ONE world championship on August 2 and win a performance bonus in the process.
Kelly has shown an incredible ability to rise to the occasion during her time in the promotion, and it looked like this may be the case once again when she secured a crucial catch.
It wasn't meant to be as Bastos rallied late on to sway the decision her way and leave Lumpinee Stadium as the new atomweight world champion who will take some stopping.
The replay of ONE Fight Night 24 is available on demand for Prime Video subscribers in North America.