Danielle Kelly plans aggression, says Mayssa Bastos’ previous opponents “didn’t really pull the trigger” against Brazilian star

Danielle Kelly may have just discovered the secret to figuring out the unsolvable puzzle that is Mayssa Bastos.

The reigning ONE atomweight submission grappling world champion will defend her throne against the Brazilian superstar in the co-main event of ONE Fight Night 24 this Friday, U.S. primetime, at the historic Lumpinee Stadium.

In an interview with ONE Championship, Kelly said Bastos' dominance wasn't solely because of her skills.

While Bastos certainly dominated her opponents in the past, Kelly argued that her opponents were apprehensive or even passive whenever they fought the multi-time BJJ world champion.

Danielle Kelly said she plans to do the opposite of what Bastos' previous opponents did and go on the attack the moment the bell rings.

"I feel like when I was watching her other matches, like, no disrespect, I feel like the girls didn't really pull the trigger as much. Whereas Mayssa uses that to attack them."

Kelly is a natural Brazilian jiu-jitsu artist, but she'll often incorporate wrestling techniques into her arsenal during matches.

A former amateur wrestler, Kelly has no problems using her other grappling base during fights. That intriguing style has led her to an unbeaten record (3-0-1) in ONE Championship.

After settling for a draw against Mei Yamaguchi at ONE X, Kelly racked up three straight wins over Mariia Molchanova, Ayaka Miura and Jessa Khan.

Kelly's win over Khan, an IBJJF world champion, at ONE Fight Night 14 was her coronation as the inaugural ONE atomweight submission grappling world champion.

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Danielle Kelly plans to use Mayssa Bastos' signature move against her in Bangkok

Danielle Kelly is an astute student of BJJ and she's also studied Mayssa Bastos, extensively, ahead of their Bangkok matchup.

In an interview with ONE Championship, Kelly said Bastos and her coaches at Art of Jiu-Jitsu Academy have a penchant for using back takes in their matches.

Gui Mendes, one of the head coaches at AOJ, is one of the masters of the berimbolo, but Kelly wants to use that same maneuver against Bastos at ONE Fight Night 24:

"Taking [her] back. If I somehow got her back and choked her. You know, they all love taking the back, the Mendes brothers and everyone there. So it'd be kinda cool if I did that, if I played her game and [take] her out with her own move."

ONE Fight Night 24 is available live and free to all Prime Video subscribers in the United States and Canada.