After pulling off one of the biggest upsets of 2023 to win the ONE Championship women’s atomweight submission grappling title, Danielle Kelly now prepares for an even more challenging test in her first championship defense. The Philadelphia-based black belt faces five-time International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation world champion Mayssa Bastos in the ONE on Prime Video 24 co-main event this Friday at Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
Kelly sounds eager to perform in her first match since September, but she’s well aware of the task ahead of her. Bastos is one of the most decorated jiu-jitsu players in the world, and she will be looking to add Kelly’s belt to her extensive trophy collection.