When it comes to her upcoming clash with Mayssa Bastos at ONE Fight Night 24, Danielle Kelly is trying to keep emotion out of it.
After claiming the inaugural ONE atomweight submission grappling world championship last year, Kelly will return to the legendary Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok for an anticipated title defense against Brazilian standout Mayssa Bastos live on Amazon Prime Video.
Appearing on the Jordan Teaches Jiujitsu podcast ahead of her Friday's massive title tilt in Thailand, Kelly spoke about trying to keep her emotions in check ahead of fight night and sticking to what she does best on the mat.
Get the latest updates on One Championship Rankings at Sportskeeda and more
"Again going to this match I don't want to be emotional," Kelly said. I don't really want to focus on like what even people say like, ‘Oh you're going to beat this girl.’ Like I don't want to focus on that. I just want to do what I'm good at."
Mayssa Bastos ready to make the most of her opportunity against Danielle Kelly
Kelly goes into her latest appearance inside the Circle with an unbeaten record under the ONE banner, including wins over Mariia Molchanova, Ayaka Miura, and longtime rival Jessa Khan.
However, the Silver Fox BJJ star will be facing perhaps her toughest test yet when she goes toe-to-toe with an eight-time BJJ world champion with an incredible 115 career wins.
Mayssa Bastos made her ONE Championship debut in March at ONE Fight Night 20, securing a dominant decision victory over Kanae Yamada. Though it was just her first victory on martial arts' biggest global stage, it was more than enough to earn her a shot at the coveted atomweight submission grappling crown.
Will Bastos make the most of her opportunity and bring ONE gold back to Brazil, or will Kelly keep her 'O' and her title intact in The Land of Smiles?
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.