Mayssa Bastos believes experience fighting Danielle Kelly will help her in ONE Fight Night 26 rematch: "It could be easier"

ONE atomweight submission grappling world champion Mayssa Bastos knows that there are positives and negatives to facing an opponent for a second time.

The Brazilian is a master of breaking down opponents, predicting their next move, and countering them at every turn. Her excellent ability to read a contest and make the right adjustments has seen her earn accolades in submission grappling.

The latest of which came at ONE Fight Night 24 in August where she defeated Danielle Kelly to become the new atomweight submission grappling queen in ONE.

Now, the two women are set to run it back at ONE Fight Night 26 on Dec. 6 where Bastos believes that their previous encounter could make this fight both more strategic or make it easier for her. She learned a lot about Kelly in their first match-up but the same can be said for the former champion so both women will need to make adjustments ahead of the rematch.

In a recent interview with ONE Championship, ahead of her return to Bangkok's iconic Lumpinee Stadium, Bastos spoke about how the rematch will be different:

"I think so, on the other hand, since we now know each other better. It could be a more studied fight. But on the other hand it could be easier, because I've already fought against her."

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Mayssa Bastos will want to make a statement

Given that Mayssa Bastos came out on top in their first clash, you may think that the emphasis is more on Danielle Kelly to improve in the rematch but that's not strictly true.

For a start, their first meeting was a close match even if Bastos did get the win via the scorecards. It went down to the wire and the world champion won't want that to happen again.

Not to mention, she's a perfectionist who will want to seal the deal this time around by finishing Kelly and leaving no doubts that she is the best in the division.