“No sad stories, just motivated” - Danielle Kelly holds on to her parents’ memories every time she fights
Danielle Kelly makes sure that her parents' memories will live on forever.
The reigning ONE atomweight submission grappling world champion has always taken strength from the love of her parents, both of whom sadly passed away before she became a household name in the Brazilian jiu-jitsu community.
Ever the proud daughter, Kelly wrote a somber note on Instagram about how she will always cherish the moments and life lessons her parents gave her.
Danielle Kelly posted:
"Twelve years without my dad and eight years without my mom. Being in a sport young is tough without the support of your parents. I stick by it because of my dad who got me into it, and I know he'd be proud of me today. I have more to fight than my opponents. No sad stories, just motivated. @onechampionship."
Kelly used that parental love to become one of her generation's best grapplers, male or female.
The American superstar holds an undefeated 3-0-1 record in ONE Championship, and her debut match against Mei Yamaguchi at ONE X remained her lone draw in the promotion.
She has since recorded high-profile wins over Sambo world champion Mariia Molchanova, former ONE women's strawweight MMA world title contender Ayaka Miura, and IBJJF world champion Jessa Khan.
Danielle Kelly set for massive world title defense against Mayssa Bastos
Danielle Kelly could be headed to the biggest fight of her career.
The Philadelphia native will square off against Mayssa Bastos at ONE Fight Night 24 on August 2, US primetime, at the historic Lumpinee Boxing Stadium.
Bastos is coming off a dominant submission win over Japanese standout Kanae Yamada at ONE Fight Night 20 this past March.
The Brazilian star is also one of the most accomplished female submission grapplers of all time, with nine IBJJF world titles to her name.
ONE Fight Night 24, just like all of ONE Championship's Amazon cards, is available live and free to all Prime Video subscribers in the United States and Canada.