“She’s the number one” - Danielle Kelly says she’ll be in for the fight of her life against Mayssa Bastos at ONE Fight Night 24

Danielle Kelly is beaming with confidence ahead of her first world title defense, but she also recognized that Mayssa Bastos would be one of her toughest opponents yet.

The reigning ONE atomweight submission grappling world champion will defend her gold against the Brazilian superstar in the co-main event of ONE Fight Night 24 this Friday, US primetime, at the historic Lumpinee Stadium.

Ahead of her Bangkok showdown against Bastos, Kelly said Bastos fully deserves her reputation as one of this generation's best.

Danielle Kelly added that Bastos could be one of those opponents who would have a large impact on her overall legacy.

She said in the interview snippet she shared on Instagram:

"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."

She added:

"I'll go in there and try not to focus on like what she's accomplished, and this is the first time we're competing against each other."

Kelly holds an unbeaten 3-0-1 record in ONE Championship and captured the sport's ultimate prize when she beat IBJJF world champion Jessa Khan for the inaugural ONE atomweight submission grappling world title.

She now defends that throne against a fighter many consider one of the best of all time.

Bastos holds a ridiculous 115-12 professional record and won nine BJJ world titles under the IBJJF, IBJJF No-Gi, and Who's Number One.

Kelly's world title against Bastos, and the entire ONE Fight Night 24 card, is available live and free to all Prime Video subscribers in the United States and Canada.

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Danielle Kelly hopes for an aggressive showing from Mayssa Bastos

Danielle Kelly always took pride in her aggressive style, and she wants Mayssa Bastos to have a similar offensive mindset at ONE Fight Night 24.

In an interview with ONE Championship, Kelly said she wants Bastos to come at her and be as aggressive as possible.

"I'm hoping she tries to attack me, and maybe she'll go for a leg lock. She did that in some matches, but I haven't seen her do that recently. I'm excited. I want her to try to attack me."