Danielle Kelly shares thoughts on recent Kade Ruotolo vs. Uali Kurzhev match at ONE on Prime Video 3

Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) sensation Danielle Kelly shared her expert thoughts on Kade Ruotolo and Uali Kurzhev’s recent world title clash at ONE on Prime Video 3.

Teenage prodigy Kade Ruotolo defeated multiple-time sambo world champion Uali Kurzhev at the 4:26 minute mark and made it look easy.

Setting the bar higher than any other Brazilian jiu-jitsu stylist of his generation, Ruotolo extended the BJJ vs. sambo rivalry at ONE Championship, 2-0, soon after ‘Diguinho’ Rodrigo Marello submitted sambo specialist Ruslan Bagdasarian at ONE 161 last September.

A prolific BJJ stylist herself, Danielle Kelly weighed in on Kade’s recent victory while setting the record straight on the rivalry between BJJ and sambo:

"Yes, I’m a jiu-jitsu person so I’ll say that BJJ is more superior than sambo. But like if you kinda watch the Kade and Kurzhev match. Kurzhev didn’t do a bad job, he got out like a really tight submission at first so you have to respect the sport of sambo when you’re a jiu-jitsu person.”

She further added:

“He [Kurzhev] didn’t give up easily. He was trying to attack Kade, he took down Kade with a foot sweep really fast. I think there’s a certain respect to it but I think at the end of the day, I think jiu-jitsu people are more dominant, especially on the ground against sambo people.”

Despite Kurzhev’s best efforts, Kade Ruotolo ultimately submitted the Russian stalwart via heel hook.

This marked Kade’s second submission grappling victory under the ONE banner and second world title victory after capturing gold at the ADCC World Championship this year.

He made his promotional debut against Japanese grappling legend Shinya Akoi at ONE 157, and although he was frustrated by not getting the submission, he certainly made up for it at ONE on Prime Video 3.

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Danielle Kelly is pleased to announce her next grappling match against sambo specialist Mariia Molchanova

Danielle Kelly has the chance to prove that BJJ is better than sambo in her next matchup of the year against ONE newcomer Mariia Molchanova at ONE on Prime Video 4.

Kelly posted the announcement with the decorated sambo and judo specialist on her Instagram with the following caption:

"Finally can announce my next match will be against a decorated sambo opponent November 18th on @amazonprime @onechampionship . If you guys want to see good jiu jitsu and a quick submission make sure you watch this match😇🤷🏻‍♀️ bjj>>>>>>>"

Many fans and pundits alike believed Danielle Kelly was going to be paired up with a former rival such as Jessa Khan or an MMA fighter with a jiu-jitsu background, so this matchup with the Russian newcomer came as a pleasant surprise.

Fans all over the BJJ circuit are excited to see the Silver Fox Gym representative return to the mats after a break..