Danielle Kelly feels she’s at the forefront of developing women’s combat sports

Danielle Kelly believes she could become a true pioneer of women’s combat sports.

Currently, when you think of female athletes that broke through the glass ceiling to become massive stars in the world of professional fighting, names like Ronda Rousey and Cris Cyborg will likely come to mind, but ONE Championship’s submission grappling sensation is on the cusp of becoming part of the Mount Rushmore of women’s MMA.

Signing up for the promotion in 2022, Kelly quickly made a name for herself with an impressive showing against Japanese MMA icon Mei Yamaguchi. Kelly returned to the Circle in November, scoring another win, this time over Sambo World Champion Mariia Molchanova after just over two minutes via a rear-naked choke.

Planning to make 2023 an even bigger year, Kelly spoke with ONE Championship about her goal to help grow the presence of women in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and combat sports altogether:

“You know I’m really thankful for competing for ONE Championship, getting that first call. Being the first women’s jiu-jitsu match for ONE Championship, I think that was a huge statement especially like trying to grow the women’s sports out in the world.”

---

Danielle Kelly prides herself on helping the next generation of BJJ all-stars

Danielle Kelly loves winning inside the Circle, but there may be one thing that she loves even more. Sharing her knowledge of submission grappling with the next generation of Brazilian jiu-jitsu superstars:

“I always tried to help people that, I try to give advice, especially to young females, everyone, or anyone that's doing the sport or that wants to take it seriously, is to surround yourself with good people. Because that's really going to help."

Kelly believes that being a kid coming up in the sport gives her an advantage when teaching others, particularly children, who want to pursue jiu-jitsu:

“I know how to teach people, and I try to help people understand it. And I was a kid at the sport at one point and I think having that ability helps me help the younger generation who want to learn from me.”

Danielle Kelly will return to the Circle at ONE on Prime Video 7 on Febr. 10 against Ayaka Miura. In the main event of the evening, Fabricio Andrade will rematch John ‘Hands of Stone’ Lineker for the ONE bantamweight world championship.