Danielle Kelly on dealing with naysayers: "I can't really control what people think"

To submission grappling superstar Danielle Kelly, worrying about what the critics and naysayers have to say about her is the last thing on her mind.

That certainly isn't a new topic for the ONE atomweight submission grappling world champion, who has constantly had to prove the haters wrong on her way to stardom.

Even despite her achievements, including a recent ONE atomweight submission grappling world title win over longtime nemesis Jessa Khan, the Silver Fox BJJ athlete has been on the end of a lot of criticism that, oftentimes, bewilders her.

Nothing much has changed as she heads into her first world title defense on the global stage of martial arts against nine-time BJJ world champion Mayssa Bastos at ONE Fight Night 24 on August 2.

And as she has always done throughout her career, Danielle Kelly wants to deliver another statement performance and enjoy the last laugh when she competes in Bangkok's legendary Lumpinee Stadium this week.

Speaking to Jordan Teaches Jiujitsu, the 28-year-old shared:

"I'm just going into this match doing what I do. I don't care what people think, and hopefully, I get the finish or I win this match, which I will. I can't really control what people think or what others say, all the negative stuff and all that."

"I even mentioned that I'm definitely the underdog just because like who she is and what she's accomplished."

Watch the full interview here:

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Mayssa Bastos outlines Danielle Kelly's advantage heading into world title meet

While Danielle Kelly views herself as the underdog at ONE Fight Night 24, challenger Mayssa Bastos begs to differ.

She cites the American's experience in competing under ONE's submission-hunting ruleset and her familiarity inside the ring and Circle as two challenges that she'd need to overcome against the divisional queen.

Speaking to ONE Championship, Bastos shared:

"She is very active in ONE events and she knows how to use the rules to her advantage, so that makes her very dangerous. I believe that is her strong point."

North American fans with an active Amazon Prime Video subscription can catch the entire ONE Fight Night 24 card live in U.S. primetime for free this Friday, August 2