Danielle Kelly recalls a time when she almost quit BJJ

ONE submission grappling star Danielle Kelly is one of the most successful Jiujitsu athletes in the sport today. With the amount of success the dashing and dangerous American grappler has had in her career so far, it's hard to believe that she once considered leaving the sport altogether.

In an interview with ONE Championship, Danielle Kelly spoke about what got her into Jiujitsu and what made her almost quit at one point:

"There definitely was a time, I think I was barely 21. And, you know, at such a young age, even before then, I had like sick parents, my dad was very sick. So he was the main reason, he's my motivation. He's the one who brought me into the sport. Even before I did jiujitsu, like I did, like some karate before. But like, he's the sole reason, he wanted me to get involved and stay busy with jiujitsu."

Kelly continued:

"So after he passed, you know, I was kind of with my mom at the time and I was graduating from high school. I was a new graduate and I was trying to get into college. And you know, I lose my mom and it kind of like, all fell down to like, what am I going to do with my life kind of talk. And, yeah, I was pretty lost at a young age. So I felt like jiujitsu at that time was kind of holding me back in a way. I couldn't put the focus I wanted to put on jiujitsu. So I took almost a year off and looking back, I wish I didn't, because I feel like I probably would have accomplished more."

Family is one of the greatest motivators for athletes in any sport. Conversely, however, losing a family member can also cause someone to lose motivation and quit pushing forward. But if there's anything Jiujitsu has taught its athletes, it's the fact that it's not a weapon - but a gift.

A gift that instills discipline, respect, humility, emotional strength, mental toughness, and most importantly, inner resilience. If Danielle Kelly's dad is seeing her right now, he'd be damn proud that she chose to continue living the life of a martial artist.

---

Danielle Kelly clinches her second performance bonus in ONE Championship at ONE on Prime Video 4

After a bonus-winning performance against Mei Yamaguchi in her ONE debut at ONE X back in March, Danielle Kelly delivered another one at ONE on Prime Video 4 in November. She did so by submitting sambo world champion Mariia Molchanova.

Molchanova aggressively tried to impose her game early by grabbing the back of Kelly’s neck to assume dominant control on the feet. Not one to be outgrappled, the 26-year-old American grappler pulled guard and went to work from off her back.

Danielle Kelly slickly slithered her way to Molchanova's back and locked in a body triangle to secure the position. At that moment, the match was essentially over. As Kelly hunted for the RNC, Mochanova desperately tried to wiggle out of position by standing up. The plan backfired, however, as it made Kelly squeeze tighter. The inevitable finish came at the 2:15 mark of the 10-minute match.

Watch the full fight here: