“I really want that one back” - Danielle Kelly wants to prove that she’s now a better grappler than Jessa Khan

Danielle Kelly has seen her star continue to shine since joining ONE Championship last year and wants to continue challenging herself with quality fights, including a rematch with fellow jiu-jitsu ace Jessa Khan.

The Silver Fox BJJ representative wants to settle the score with the Cambodian-American grappling prodigy after losing in their lone encounter in February 2021 at a WNO grappling event by unanimous decision.

Danielle Kelly has always wanted to redeem herself from the loss and said she would welcome the opportunity to have another shot at Khan.

In the post-fight interview following her victory at ONE Fight Night 7 on Prime Video in Bangkok last week, the American submission grappling ace said a rematch with Khan had to be made:

“It's really important. I want to prove myself, that I've gotten better. I just want to prove myself, and I want that one back. Yeah, I don't know. I really want that one back, that's all I can say, and just prove that I belong here and now I'm going to win that title.”

27-year-old Kelly made her promotional debut in March last year where she settled for a draw against Japanese veteran Mei Yamaguchi. She then won two straight, the most recent at ONE Fight Night 7 over judoka Ayaka Miura of Japan by unanimous decision.

Khan, 21, for her part, is a decorated jiu-jitsu fighter, as well as a gold medalist in the 2018 Asian Games while representing Cambodia. She also signed with ONE last year.

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Danielle Kelly talks about fellow ONE women fighters’ grappling skills

Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt Danielle Kelly has been keenly observing how grappling is being used in ONE Championship since joining the promotion last year, and is impressed with how some women athletes are incorporating it in their game.

The Silver Fox BJJ affiliate, in particular, cited reigning atomweight world champion Angela 'Unstoppable' Lee and rising Japanese star Itsuki 'Android 18' Hirata as fighters who have caught her attention.

In a recent interview with ONE Championship, Danielle Kelly said:

“I like Angela's jiu-jitsu. But you know, I really liked the twister. I've always liked how she did that in her fights. Another girl is Itsuki Hirata, but I think I'm better at my jiu-jitsu and my wrestling's better than her. But she's also from around here. I think she's a judo girl, too.”

Since joining ONE, Danielle Kelly has become one of the trailblazing athletes in submission grappling alongside current champions Kade Ruotolo and Mikey Musumeci. She won her last fight at ONE Fight Night 7 on Prime Video on February 24 in Bangkok over Japanese judoka Ayaka Miura by unanimous decision.

Interestingly, Kelly could battle Lee or Hirata as she also hopes to make a foray into mixed martial arts in the future.