The women’s catchweight submission grappling match between Danielle Kelly and Ayaka Miura is one of the main attractions of ONE Fight Night 7: Lineker vs Andrade II on Prime Video on February 24.
The Brazilian jiu-jitsu phenom and the feared judoka are set to make history in the first-ever grappling-only match inside the iconic Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
Kelly has lived up to the hype and more, collecting back-to-back $50,000 performance bonuses in her first two Circle outings against Mei Yamaguchi and Mariia Molchanova.
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Meanwhile, Miura is a familiar face for ONE fans, and once challenged Xiong Jing Nan for the women’s strawweight world title.
‘Zombie’ will be making her submission grappling debut against Kelly, whom most pundits consider the face of the promotion’s female grappling-only division.
Aside from their contrasting styles, Kelly and Miura will enter this match-up with different goals in mind.
Still, both fighters are intent on getting their hand raised by the end of the evening.
Kelly vs Miura, along with the entire stacked card at ONE Fight 7, will stream live on US primetime and free for Amazon Prime Video subscribers in the United States and Canada.
Danielle Kelly wants to prove she’s ready for a world title shot
Inspired by the world championship runs of her fellow BJJ savants Mikey Musumeci and Kade Ruotolo, Danielle Kelly believes she is destined to become the inaugural women’s atomweight submission grappling queen.
While a gold strap won’t be hanging in the balance in her match with Miura, this might as well be her ticket to earn one in her next fight.
The 27-year-old had already showcased her championship potential when she dominated a proven vet in Mei Yamaguchi in her promotional debut.
Dissatisfied with her performance since she was unable to put away Yamaguchi, Danielle Kelly made quick work of Molchanova in her next outing.
The Silver Fox BJJ star put on her best human backpack impression and forced the Sambo world champion to quit with a well-set-up rear-naked choke.
After getting her first submission win inside the Circle, Danielle Kelly wants nothing more than to decisively finish another tough opponent.
Miura, of course, is no slouch in the grappling arts with her extensive years as a famed judoka. She’s also expected to have a size advantage come fight night since the match will be contested at a catchweight of 119 pounds - 4 pounds heavier than Kelly’s usual atomweight limit.
Danielle Kelly, though, remains unfazed and is eager to add another fearsome opponent to her growing list of victims.
If the American BJJ ace once again passes this test with flying colors, then a world title is certainly the fight to make next.
Ayaka Miura wants to begin a new chapter in her career
Ayaka Miura is not afraid to shake things up by broadening her horizons. After taking the MMA scene by storm with her signature “Ayaka Lock” and going 4-1 in her first five bouts, the Japanese star dropped back-to-back fights against Xiong Jing Nan and Dayane Cardoso.
She also took some time off after suffering an unfortunate shoulder injury in her last defeat.
Now back to 100 percent, ‘Zombie’ will look to bounce back through ONE’s burgeoning submission grappling scene.
There’s no better way to announce her arrival than by taking out an opponent whom many consider the face of women’s grappling.
Given Danielle Kelly’s outstanding BJJ credentials and experience in submission grappling, Miura will embrace an underdog mentality heading into this match.
The 32-year-old brings forth unshakable toughness coming from her extensive MMA experience.
Miura is also a proven finisher, with all four of her wins in ONE Championship coming by way of submission via her brutal “Ayaka Lock” from the scarf hold or “kesa-gatame” position.
The Tribe Tokyo MMA representative is not a one-trick pony either, since she also specializes in outside trips and crushing top pressure.
We have yet to see Danielle Kelly on the receiving end of precarious positions inside the Circle, and it will be interesting to see how she responds to Miura’s attacks.
On paper, Miura does have the offensive repertoire to give the BJJ ace a tough fight. If ‘Zombie’ does the unthinkable and beats Kelly in her own game, then she might just jump in line and take the world title shot for herself.