“I'm getting less anxious” - Danielle Kelly says becoming world champion made her more confident in her abilities

Danielle Kelly's confidence is beaming ahead of her first world title defense at ONE Fight Night 24 on Friday, August 2.

The ONE atomweight submission grappling queen has enjoyed her time as a world champion, and now, she's more than prepared to defend the coveted belt for the first time against game Brazilian contender Mayssa Bastos.

Even so, Kelly is also familiar with the negative emotions that she's been experiencing during her time at the top of the food chain.

She told ONE Championship about some of these emotions in a recent interview:

"For the negative, I would say I'm a little more anxious at most times. But, like, as the time comes closer to the match, I'm getting less anxious. I feel going into this match, I mean, as a champion."

Nonetheless, we would be able to see a different side of Kelly when she clashes with Bastos in the co-main event of this Amazon card.

ONE Fight Night 24 is available live and free in U.S. primetime to all Prime Video active subscribers in the United States and Canada.

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Danielle Kelly won't look past Mayssa Bastos

Before Danielle Kelly can decide where she wants to go next, she has to focus all of her attention on the next challenge ahead: nine-time BJJ world champion Mayssa Bastos.

Arguably the toughest challenge in Kelly's career, the 26-year-old Brazilian is one of the most decorated grapplers in the sport, and she's ready to take on the biggest prize in her career.

In an interview snippet she posted on Instagram, Kelly said:

"Fighting Maysa Bastos coming up, she's definitely, I mean I fought a lot of tough opponents, but I would say probably at this weight class she's the number one. She's beaten a lot of girls, she's pretty well-known."

This ONE atomweight submission grappling world title match will be one of the two world championship bouts at the top of the loaded ONE Fight Night 24 card.