“The journey still continues” - Former champ Danielle Kelly looks back at two decades of her life studying Brazilian jiu-jitsu

Danielle Kelly is now two decades into her life with Brazilian jiu-jitsu, yet she feels she's just starting her journey with The Gentle Art. The former ONE atomweight submission grappling world champion looked back at the 20 years she's been studying and practicing BJJ, and the deep connection she felt while going through the martial art's nuances.

Taking to Instagram, Kelly detailed how she fell in love with BJJ after spending a year learning karate with her brothers in Philadelphia.

Danielle Kelly wrote:

"Twenty years of jiu jitsu 💪 from NAGA tournaments to the big stage where thousands watch me and also now teaching others in the next generation. I remember my dad took me and my brothers to a Tiger Schulmann's karate class in Northeast Philly, I learned how to do a takedown and break grips."

She added:

"I was the only one out of my family that stuck with it 😂 a year later found a school that does jiu-jitsu after having a hard time in school and stuck with it. Since then I have competed in both BJJ, wrestling, and softball. The journey still continues."

Kelly's hard work eventually led her to ONE Championship where she became the inaugural ONE atomweight submission grappling world champion.

Although she lost her strap in her last fight, she has a chance at redemption when she takes on current holder Mayssa Bastos at ONE Fight Night 26 on Dec. 6 at the historic Lumpinee Stadium.

Kelly's rematch against Bastos, and the entire ONE Fight Night 26 card, are available live and free to all Prime Video subscribers in the United States and Canada.

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Danielle Kelly reflects on the road back to her throne

Danielle Kelly was riding an undefeated streak when she took on Mayssa Bastos in her defense of the ONE atomweight submission grappling world title at ONE Fight Night 24.

Despite her three-fight winning streak, Kelly's momentum ultimately fell short and she succumbed to a unanimous decision loss to Bastos in their August showdown in Bangkok.

Determined to reclaim her lost gold, Kelly posted on Instagram the mental space she's in ahead of her next big match in ONE Championship.

"That part 🗣 Living your dream isn't always easy and has a ton of ups and downs with life, but it's worth it. Keep going."