Submission grappling queen Danielle Kelly wants in on ONE 169: Atlanta: “It would be really cool”

Danielle Kelly has her heart set on competing at ONE 169: Atlanta. But first, the reigning ONE atomweight submission grappling world champion will have to get past her next big test.

Returning to the legendary Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok this Friday night, August 2, Kelly will put her 26 pounds of gold on the line when she meets one of the most accomplished women in all of Brazilian jiu-jitsu — Mayssa Bastos.

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Should Danielle Kelly fend off her first title challenger inside the Mecca of Muay Thai, she hopes to score a spot on ONE's upcoming debut in 'Hotlanta' on Friday, November 8, so that her family can finally see her compete on martial arts' biggest global stage.

"Yeah, I’d like it, you know, my friends and family would love to like come in and watch me. They’ve always wanted to watch me compete, so it would be really cool to compete in the U.S. where they can travel."

She added:

"I hope to win, I will win this match, and hopefully I can compete in November."

Watch the interview below:

Danielle Kelly faces one of BJJ's most feared female competitors in Mayssa Bastos

Of course, getting past Mayssa Bastos will be no easy task.

Though she's only made one walk to the Circle thus far — a decision victory over Kanae Yamada in March — Bastos' accolades more than justify the opportunity she's been given in her sophomore appearance.

Bastos is a nine-time BJJ world champion, topping the podium at the IBJJF Worlds in 2019 and 2021-2024. She has also taken home gold at the IBJJF European and Pans Championship.

The Brazilian superstar was also crowned the second-ranked Female Athlete of the Year by the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation in 2018.

Next on her list is ONE Championship gold, but to get it, she'll have to go through one of the hottest acts — figuratively and literally — under the ONE banner.

ONE Championship fans in the United States and Canada can watch ONE Fight Night 24 live and for free via Amazon Prime Video in U.S. primetime on Friday, August 2.