Danielle Kelly on the importance of having a strong support system

A lot of MMA careers start out with a lot of promise, but according to Danielle Kelly, if athletes don’t have the right support system, that can easily go away.

Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) superstar Danielle Kelly knows a great deal about the pressure and expectations to be the best. Rising to stardom at a rapid pace since she joined ONE Championship in February, Kelly said her teammates and coaches help her stay humble despite her growing success.

Speaking to ONE Championship, the Silver Fox BJJ representative discussed the importance of having a strong support system:

“I think especially being in MMA and jiu-jitsu, especially in the MMA world, if you don't have a strong support system, I feel like most people start to go downhill.”

Last month, Danielle Kelly mesmerized fans with her second appearance under the promotion and first submission finish against multiple-time sambo world champion Mariia Molchanova.

The Philadelphia native was over the moon as her plans for a quick finish came to pass. That night, she was rewarded her second performance bonus of $50,000 for the rear-naked-choke, after receiving her first bonus against Mei Yamaguchi at ONE X last March.

Proving her mettle on the grand stage, the American superstar is more than ready to fight for the promotion’s first ONE women’s submission grappling world title, which could potentially happen soon.

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Danielle Kelly feels like she’s living up to the hype by helping jiu-jitsu grow on the global stage

Danielle Kelly is relieved she was able to live up to people’s expectations but more importantly her own.

Disappointed that she didn’t get the finish in her debut grappling match, Kelly felt like she vindicated herself with a quick submission over Mariia Molchanova.

Indeed, the 27-year-old sensation looked more comfortable and confident the second time around, leaving no time for Molchanova to reset or attack as soon as the bell rang.

Happy to have come out with the win for ONE Championship, Kelly is confident her work in jiu-jitsu will attract the viewership the sport deserves.

At the post-event presser, Danielle Kelly said:

“When people watch jiu-jistu especially like, jiu-jitsu is technically kind of new, it’s growing. When the fans and everyone sees it around the world and they’re seeing like what the athletes are putting out there, what they’re getting in return, like you know, it’s amazing. It just draws into more attention to the grappling world, especially women’s jiu-jitsu.”