"That's when you try to really attack" - Danielle Kelly says Mayssa Bastos 'disengages' when things get tough
Danielle Kelly has had to work incredibly hard for everything that she has achieved in her career. They say that tough times breed tough people and the ONE atomweight submission grappling world champion refuses to be told no.
She believes that ahead of her first title defense in the co-main event of ONE Fight Night 24, this is a potential advantage for her.
Her opponent Mayssa Bastos has nearly done everything there is to do in her chosen sport by just 26 years old.
One area that Kelly believes she may lack is her ability to turn the tide of a contest once it starts to slip away from her.
The champion identified ahead of the clash that Bastos can sometimes leave openings for opponents to take over if they can capitalize on a momentum shift.
Kelly spoke about her opponent's mindset and resolve during a recent interview with ONE Championship:
"I've been definitely working on a lot of scenarios where if I do get passed, and she tries to keep heavy pressure. But if [Bastos] feels like she's kind of losing it, she'll disengage. And that's when you try to really attack and go after her pretty much."
Danielle Kelly has no ounce of quit in her
Not to say that Mayssa Bastos quits when the going gets tough but Danielle Kelly certainly will not back down.
If Bastos does have an issue in her game where she can give opponents the opportunity to take control then we are sure to find out at Lumpinee Stadium on August 2.
Kelly may not have the same kind of extensive career accomplishments list as her opponent but that doesn't make her any less difficult to beat.
You can be sure that the champion will be pushing for the victory from bell to bell.
ONE Fight Night 24 will air live in US Primetime, free of charge for Prime Video subscribers in the United States and Canada.