“I was being a little too hesitant” - Danielle Kelly says being starstruck against Mayssa Bastos led to her downfall

Former ONE women's atomweight submission grappling world champion Danielle Kelly of the United States admits she may have been caught in the moment in her recent loss to now reigning divisional queen Mayssa Bastos.

Kelly dropped a unanimous decision to her Brazilian rival last August at ONE Fight Night 24 on Prime Video, surrendering her golden belt in the process.

One of the key mistakes that Kelly believes she made against Bastos was giving her opponent too much respect. After all, Bastos is considered one of the most accomplished female grapplers of her generation, even at just 27 years of age.

Kelly told ONE Championship in a recent interview:

"I felt like I was being a little too hesitant when I shouldn't [have been]. In the training room, everyone tries to beat me up. It's just part of the game. So it shouldn't be any different than me going out there and being comfortable as well."

When the two meet in the ONE Championship ring again this weekend, Kelly promises to give a better account of her grappling ability, push Bastos to the limit, and reclaim her ONE world title.

It all comes to a head at ONE Fight Night 26 on Prime Video.

---

Danielle Kelly ready to return the favor against Mayssa Bastos at ONE Fight Night 26 on Prime Video

The United States' Danielle Kelly is looking to even the score with Brazilian rival Mayssa Bastos, as the two rematch for the ONE women's atomweight submission grappling world championship.

The two will fight at ONE Fight Night 26: Lee vs. Rasulov on Prime Video, which will broadcast live in U.S. primetime this Friday, December 6. The event will take place at the legendary Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.

Fans in the United States and Canada can catch all the action live and free with an active Amazon Prime Video subscription.