WATCH: Danielle Kelly’s impressive ONE Championship debut against Mei Yamaguchi

How amazing should you be to win a performance bonus after a draw? Danielle Kelly did exactly that when she faced MMA pioneer Mei Yamaguchi last year

The submission grappling contest was Kelly's debut in ONE Championship and it happened at the organization's 10-year anniversary show, ONE X.

The bout, which featured a single 12-minute round, saw Kelly utilize her slick jiu-jitsu moves against the sturdy fundamentalist Yamaguchi. In what could be seen as an "old guard vs. new breed" matchup, Yamaguchi had a hard time catching up to Kelly's dizzying attacks.

All the Japanese could do was defend and refuse to take any chances. Because of this, Kelly was the constant aggressor while Yamaguchi was always on the defensive. This resulted in a one-sided match that eventually led to a draw.

At the time, ONE's submission grappling ruleset was strictly submissions only, meaning if no one taps out by the end of the bout, it will be ruled a draw.

If the match was judged based on the new rules, where the highest number of submission attempts will grant a win, Danielle Kelly would have won via a landslide.

Still, the outcome of the bout didn't stop ONE CEO Chatri Sityodtong from awarding the American grappler a $50,000 performance bonus. Kelly went on to win her next bout in the promotion via a swift rear-naked choke a few months later.

Watch Danielle Kelly's bout with Mei Yamaguchi here:

---

Danielle Kelly to face Ayaka Miura at ONE Fight Night 7

ONE submission grappling star Danielle Kelly will be making her third appearance inside the circle as she faces former world title contender Ayaka 'Zombie' Miura. The match, which will be a part of the main card of ONE Fight Night 7 on February 24, will be Miura's first submission grappling bout.

While Miura will be coming in as a clear underdog, she won't be entirely out of her element. The former ONE world title contender has a strong judo background and has used it to score the most submission wins in her division.

Miura's debilitating hip throws and signature scarfhold keylock have become a puzzle yet to be solved and will surely be in play once she faces Kelly this weekend.

In a video posted on Daniel Kelly's Instagram, the American BJJ black belt was seen practicing some counter-attacks for the judo throw.

Here's the video:

"How’s your Sunday morning? 🙃🙃🙃 @nikki_zannelli giving me throwpuccinos 🥋 (I made that word up)"

While it wasn't clear what kind of counter Kelly has for the judo throw, it's quite interesting that she is familiarizing herself with the stand-up game more.

ONE Fight Night 7 emanates from the iconic Lumpinee Boxing Stadium on February 24. The entire card is available live and for free to all Prime Video subscribers in North America.