“I'm just really excited to go against her” - Danielle Kelly wants to test her skills against veteran Mayssa Bastos

ONE atomweight submission grappling world champion Danielle Kelly is excited to defend her title for the first time later this week. She is expecting a tough challenge from seasoned opponent Mayssa Bastos but said she is ready for it.

The 28-year-old American champion will stake her world title at ONE Fight Night 24: Brooks vs. Balart on Prime Video on Aug. 2 at the Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, against 27-year-old BJJ black belt Bastos.

In an interview with ONE Championship, Danielle Kelly shared her thoughts on her Brazilian challenger, including how she will fare stylistically come fight night.

The Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, native said:

"So, with this rule set, you have to be pretty well-rounded everywhere. So if she tries to come up, I'll be ready to come up. If she tries to take my back, I will be ready for that, too. I've just kind of working, like, more so a lot of worst-case scenarios for this match, and I'm just really excited to go against her and test it."

In Bastos, Danielle Kelly is up against a foe who is a highly decorated jiu-jitsu fighter known for her extensive aresenal, including the berimbolo style of fighting, which is performed by the guard player to take the opponent's back through inverting and spinning movements.

Kelly became world champion in September last year, defeating Cambodian-American fighter Jessa Khan by unanimous decision for the inaugural title.

ONE Fight Night 24: Brooks vs. Balart on Prime Video will be available live and for free in U.S. primetime to North American fans with an active Amazon Prime Video subscription.

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Danielle Kelly staying focused for first title defense

Danielle Kelly is pumped for her first defense of the ONE atomweight submission grappling world title later this week but is maintaining her focus so as not to be derailed in her push for a win.

In her session on the Jordan Teaches Jiujitsu podcast, which was uploaded on July 28, the reigning atomweight grappling champion conveyed that she is making sure to strike a balance with her emotions as she heads into her marquee title defense against Mayssa Bastos.

The 28-year-old Kelly said:

"Going to this match, I don't want to be emotional. I don't really want to focus on like, what even people say, like, 'Oh you're going to beat that girl.' Like, I don't want to focus on that. I just want to do what what I'm good at."

Watch the full interview below:

The Kelly-Bastos title clash is the headlining match at ONE Fight Night 24 on Prime Video.