"I am legit now" - Danielle Kelly says victory over Mayssa Bastos will solidify her place among elite grapplers in the world

Former ONE women's atomweight submission grappling world champion Danielle Kelly understands how important it will be for her career to reclaim the crown by dethroning the currently reigning Mayssa Bastos at ONE Fight Night 26 on Dec. 6. The event will take place inside the Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.

Kelly bared her thoughts with ONE about their upcoming world title rematch, saying:

"I feel like I am legit now, but I feel like just beating her, putting her name on my record of beating her, will just put me way higher."

The Silver Fox BJJ star and Bastos crossed paths in August at ONE Fight Night 24, with the former seeking to successfully defend the throne for the first time.

To Kelly's credit, she showed off her grit by trading leg locks with the nine-time IBJJF world champion late in their world title clash. However, it was not enough for her to retain the crown as judges awarded Bastos 26 pounds of ONE gold via unanimous decision.

ONE Fight Night 26 will air live and free to all Prime Video subscribers in the United States and Canada.

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Danielle Kelly glad to be an inspiration to young female athletes

Danielle Kelly recognizes her status as one of the world's most recognizable submission grappling athletes today and how her rise to stardom has inspired the next generation of female athletes.

In a separate interview with ONE, the 28-year-old said:

"Maybe the girls that watched me from when they were like 4 or 5, they're in high school wrestling now because of me. It's a humbling, but also a cool feeling because maybe I got them into the sport, or I gave them the confidence that they can do it, too. It's an emotional feeling, but that's why I do this. It's for them and helping the next generation."