Danielle Kelly explains why a rematch with Jessa Khan is important to her

Following her hard fought victory at ONE Fight Night 7, Danielle Kelly is targeting a rematch with a former opponent.

IBJJF Pan American Champion Jessa Khan defeated Kelly via a decision in February 2021 and Kelly has been out for revenge ever since.

In her matchups inside the circle, the 27-year-old has faced off with opponents who bring completely different skill sets into the contest. From the world championship-level sambo of Mariia Molchanova to the judo background of Ayaka Miura, Kelly has faced some awkward clashes under the ONE Championship banner.

Facing off with Khan would give Kelly an opportunity to return to competing against jiu-jitsu fighters whilst trying to avenge her loss in the process.

In her post-event interview after defeating Ayaka Miura, Danielle Kelly said:

“I had a history with her about two years ago, and I felt like I wasn't really a hundred percent, and I felt like I could compete with other jiu-jitsu people. It's what I'm used to. It's more flowy, and we're the same weight. I'm motivated to get back because I've been working hard to get that match and work harder on myself.”

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Danielle Kelly says Ayaka Miura played defensive game very well: “Every time I tried to attack, she just kinda stalled”

Whilst she gave her opponent credit for her defensive skills, Danielle Kelly was left frustrated by her contest with Ayaka Miura at ONE Fight Night 7.

Facing the mixed martial artist in the Lumpinee Boxing Stadium, Kelly emerged with the win via a unanimous decision after a closely contested match.

Miura took advantage of her opponent having to adapt to her specific skill set. With her judo background and the physical size and strength difference, ‘Zombie’ was able to shut down a lot of what the Brazilian jiu-jitsu specialist was trying to attack with.

In an interview with the South China Morning Post on YouTube, Danielle Kelly spoke about how her opponent played to her strengths and how that led to the contest going the distance:

“I would like to stay in my own weight class. You know even the last time I went up a weight class, I got slammed. I like to compete in my own weight and I’m used to just kind of people engaging. The rules kept me off guard because I kept engaging and we kept resetting, standing up, so that was pretty new. Yeah, every time I tried to attack, she just kinda stalled a little bit.”

Watch the full interview below: