“Winning at your own game” - Fans loving Danielle Kelly’s unprecedented rise to BJJ stardom after two shortlived careers 

Danielle Kelly | Image credit: ONE Championship
Danielle Kelly | Image credit: ONE Championship

Current undisputed ONE atomweight submission grappling world champion Danielle Kelly is a living testament to the fact that when a door closes on someone, a better opportunity comes right after.

In a recent video that ONE Championship published on Instagram, they featured the two previous careers that Kelly had before becoming one of the best BJJ athletes on the planet.

They wrote the video's description with:

"From heels to gi 🏆🥋 Can Danielle Kelly retain her ONE Women's Atomweight Submission Grappling World Championship against Mayssa Bastos at ONE Fight Night 24 on @primevideo? 👑 @daniellekellybjj"

In the video, the promotion shared that the Philadephia native was a former ring girl and waitress until she picked up the gentle art to eventually become a world champion.

This incredible journey of Kelly has inspired fans, particularly users @jasonjohnston98, @_a_saint, @smith_raider1, @dennisxv71, and @cafierjohn, who commented:

"Doesn't matter what you did, it just brought you to where you are now. Looks like your winning at your own game."
"Love to see it! Went from ring girl to world champ 💪🏽"
"Respect! Keep it moving and don't look back"
"She's the ONE. DanielleK! 🔥 #ANDSTILL"
"You were Amazing at those jobs and even more Amazing as a fighter..... Let's keep the dream alive and we'll and retain the title Killa Kelly..... Danielle Kelly BJJ World Champion again and again"
Screenshot of fans' comments
Screenshot of fans' comments

Danielle Kelly wants to extend her reign as divisional queen at ONE Fight Night 24

Kelly reached the pinnacle of success when she defeated her former tormentor Jessa Khan at ONE Fight Night 14 in September 2023 by unanimous decision to become the inaugural ONE atomweight submission grappling world champion.

But the Silver Fox BJJ athlete is far from satisfied, as she now aims to defend her world championship against the challenge of BJJ star Mayssa Bastos on August 2 at ONE Fight Night 24, which will take place inside the legendary Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.

ONE Fight Night 24 will air live and free to all Prime Video subscribers in North America on August 2 during U.S. primetime.

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Edited by Tejas Rathi
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