ONE Fight Night 26 preview and predictions: Mayssa Bastos vs Danielle Kelly

It'll either be repeat or revenge when Mayssa Bastos meets Danielle Kelly for the second time at ONE Fight Night 26.

Bastos wants nothing more than to defend the ONE atomweight submission grappling world title while Kelly is hellbent on reclaiming the throne she once ruled from.

Their first fight at ONE Fight Night 24 was full of high drama, and this second one could even lead to a potential trilogy between the two BJJ superstars.

Bastos claimed the gold in their first match via unanimous decision, but fans still argue that the result could've gone either way with Kelly retaining the world title.

Nevertheless, those conversations could find its answer when Kelly and Bastos reignite their rivalry on Friday, US primetime, at the historic Lumpinee Stadium.

Before ONE Fight Night 26 goes down, Sportskeeda MMA's ONE Championship team gave their most unbiased predictions and analyses for the looming world title match between Bastos and Kelly.

ONE Fight Night 26 is available live and free to all Prime Video subscribers in the United States and Canada.

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James De Rozario: Mayssa Bastos via decision

Mayssa Bastos and Danielle Kelly will go at one another at full pace and treat the masses to another grappling clinic in the first world title match of the card.

And yet again I see the multi-time Brazilian jiu-jitsu world champion defending her atomweight crown. This time, though, I expect her to be facing a much fiercer Kelly.

The former divisional queen is out for revenge. And seeing how ready she is, I sense that she'll be controlling the earlier exchanges this time around.

That will only fuel Bastos' fire to draw level. And from there, I see her experience and capacity to mix things up pulling her further ahead on the scorecards.

It won't be easy, but Bastos will be out to show why she's truly the queen of the division come December 6.

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Mike Murillo: Mayssa Bastos via submission

Just like their first encounter a couple of months back, the rematch between Mayssa Bastos and Danielle Kelly should be another highly competitive fare.

The tables have turned for this one with the Brazilian now defending the title but I expect her to emerge the victor again by way of submission late in the contest to remain as world champion.

While I believe Kelly has learned from their first match and made the necessary adjustments heading into the redo, the same goes for Bastos, who is even more dangerous now since she has a better understanding of her rival’s game.

Kelly though remains formidable and should be expected to go for the finish in the early goings, trying to go for the leg of the world champion. But Bastos should be ready for it and more, countering with her Dela Riva/berimbolo combo style to take the win.

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Ted Razon: Danielle Kelly via decision

The initial match between Bastos and Kelly was a cardiac chess match from start to finish, and I expect this sequel to top the first one.

I expect the challenger to come straight at the champion from the get-go and go for a quick takedown, but Bastos will likely pull guard to establish her hooks and frames early.

This time, though, I see Kelly being more ready for the threat of the Brazilian’s signature berimbolos and deny any back take attempts from Bastos.

The Silver Fox BJJ’s top pressure and passing will be crucial in this one and she must negate the atomweight submission grappling queen’s attempts to snatch her leg.

I also expect Kelly to unleash her full submission arsenal in this match and not just focus on leg lock attempts. She should put the pressure on Bastos by constantly threatening her head and arms and scoring some catches in the process.

Bastos has proven to be tough to submit and I see this going the distance once more. However, a determined Kelly is just a different beast when it comes to avenging her previous setbacks and I expect her to regain the atomweight submission grappling belt by the end of this match.

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Vince Richards: Danielle Kelly via decision

Danielle Kelly has always embraced her underdog persona, and she's ready to unleash that pent-up energy when she faces the woman who took her coveted ONE atomweight submission grappling world title.

I expect Kelly to immediately go at Bastos with her wrestling and try to land a dominant position on the ground.

Bastos, though, would try to pull guard against the aggressive Kelly to get her momentum going at the bottom.

Nevertheless, I expect Kelly to pile on the pressure from the top and threaten Bastos' neck or arms.

Kelly's wrestling would be crucial if she wants to regain the gold, and I expect that she would try to pass from one submission attempt to another to throw Bastos off her game.

This fight won't end in a submission, but Kelly's overall aggression will prove critical in the judges' scorecards.