Danielle Kelly talks about getting older as an athlete in her prime

American grappling star Danielle Kelly has been competing at the pro level since her early 20s. With that, she recently discussed what it's like aging as an athlete.

Kelly has already accomplished a lot at the age of 27, picking up a pair of performance bonuses in ONE Championship in addition to beating the likes of Cynthia Calvillo, Roxanne Modafferi, and Carla Esparza.

With her match against Ayaka Miura rapidly approaching, Danielle Kelly is excited about the future. She spoke with SCMP MMA about getting older as an athlete:

"I’m 27. So like, yeah, I’m pushing 30. I know once you hit 30 it’s scary but I guess it’s like when you pass 35, no, when you pass 40 as an athlete. But you’re still young. But as an athlete, if you’re pushing your late 30s, and it’s like, ‘Oh, snap.’"

The Silver Fox BJJ affiliate hopes to join Kade Ruotolo and Mikey Musumeci as ONE's submission grappling champions, but the promotion must first introduce a belt to her division.

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Danielle Kelly eyeing a spot on ONE Championship's first-ever card in the United States this May

ONE Championship is slated to plant its roots on North American soil for the very first time in May. With the promotion heading to her home, Kelly is yearning to get a spot on the card.

She told SCMP MMA:

"Obviously, yeah. Wishful thinking. Obviously, I would love to be in the first event, it's in the U.S. It's where I live and my family and friends can come to watch me because they obviously can't travel [out of] the country to watch me. I would love to do that. I think overall, I think everyone coming to ONE Championship in the U.S. is a big goal."

Danielle Kelly added:

"And it's a huge goal. I'm not expecting anything, but I'm crossing my fingers. Hopefully, I'll focus on this match. First, let me make sure that I'll submit this girl, and then I'll be confident. So I'm focusing on Ayaka, but do I want to be on the card? Yes, I do."

Kelly faces a stiff test in Japanese judo star Ayaka Miura, who is making her submission grappling debut following a seven-fight stint in MMA under ONE's banner.

Be sure to tune in to ONE Fight Night 7 on February 24 to watch Danielle Kelly and Ayaka Miura square off in a strawweight submission grappling match, live from the Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.

Check out Danielle Kelly's full conversation with SCMP MMA below: