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Danielle Kelly (grappler)

Danielle Kelly (born December 4, 1995) is an American submission grappler and Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt who was the inaugural and current ONE Champion at atomweight, as of late 2023.[2] She has wins over IBJJF World Champion Jessa Khan, Roxanne Modafferi, Cynthia Calvillo and the former UFC Women's Strawweight Champion Carla Esparza.[3][4]

Career

Fury Pro Grappling

Kelly fought Cathryn Millares in the co-main event of Fury Pro Grappling 2 on October 29, 2021 and won the match by unanimous decision.[5] Kelly was scheduled to face Rose Namajunas at Fury Pro Grappling 3 on December 30, 2021.[6] However, Namajunas was forced to withdraw from the event at the last minute due to a positive Covid-19 test and was replaced by Carla Esparza. During the match, Esparza slammed Kelly from full guard and the resulting clash of heads opened up a cut above Esparza's eyebrow. The doctors attending called the match off and the victory was awarded to Kelly as a result of the injury.[7]

Who's Number One

Kelly made her debut for Who's Number One on February 26, 2021 at WNO: Craig Jones v Ronaldo Junior, where she lost a unanimous decision to Jessa Khan.[8] She returned on June 18, 2021 at WNO: Craig Jones v Tye Ruotolo and submitted Jessica Crane with a kneebar in the first match of the event.[9] These performances earned her an invitation to compete for a title in the Women's Strawweight division of the Who's Number One Championships on September 25–26, 2021.[10] Kelly lost by unanimous decision to Grace Gundrum in the opening round, before submitting Jessica Crane with a heelhook in the first round of the consolation bracket. She was then submitted with an armlock by Tammi Musumeci and did not make it to the third-place final match.[11]

ONE Championship

On February 17, 2022, it was announced that Kelly signed with ONE Championship to compete in grappling, as well as mixed martial arts if she wished to.[1]

Kelly made her promotional debut against Japanese veteran Mei Yamaguchi in an atomweight submission grappling match at ONE: X on March 26, 2022.[12] The match ended in a draw after neither could find the submission.[13] This win earned her the Performance of the Night award.[14]

Kelly faced Sambo World Champion Mariia Molchanova at ONE on Prime Video 4 on November 19, 2022.[15] She won the fight via rear-naked choke.[16] This win earned her the Performance of the Night award.[17]

Kelly faced Ayaka Miura at ONE Fight Night 7 on February 25, 2023.[18] She won the match by unanimous decision.[19]

ONE Atomweight Submission Grappling World Championship

Kelly faced Jessa Khan in a rematch for the inaugural ONE Women's Atomweight Submission Grappling World Championship on September 30, 2023 at ONE Fight Night 14.[20] Kelly won the match by decision and became the promotion's first female submission grappling world champion.[21]

Kelly will defend her title against Mayssa Bastos at ONE Fight Night 24 on August 2nd, 2024.[22]

Other Promotions

Kelly fought UFC veteran Roxanne Modafferi in the main event of Submission Hunter Pro 60 on October 25, 2020, submitting her with a toehold.[23]

She fought at the inaugural UFC Fightpass Invitational on December 16, 2021, taking on Alexa Yanes. Kelly lost the match via split decision.[24]

Instructor lineage

Kano Jigoro → Tomita Tsunejirō → Mitsuyo Maeda → Carlos Gracie Sr. → Hélio Gracie → Rolls Gracie → Carlos Gracie Jr. → Renzo Gracie → Karel Pavec → Danielle Kelly[25]

Championships and accomplishments

Submission grappling record

[3][4][27][28][26]

References

  1. ^ a b "BJJ Star Danielle Kelly Signs With ONE Championship". ONE Championship – The Home Of Martial Arts. February 18, 2022. Retrieved December 23, 2022.
  2. ^ "Danielle Kelly". Meta Mat Warriors. October 26, 2023. Retrieved October 27, 2023.
  3. ^ a b "Danielle Kelly | FloGrappling | Grappling". www.flograppling.com. Retrieved December 23, 2022.
  4. ^ a b "Danielle Kelly | Fighter Page". Tapology. Retrieved December 23, 2022.
  5. ^ "Danielle Kelly Discusses Her MMA Transition After Winning at Fury Pro Grappling 2". October 31, 2021.
  6. ^ "FURY Grappling books Danielle Kelly vs. Rose Namajunas; Kevin Holland; others for Dec. 30 show". MMA Junkie. December 12, 2021. Retrieved December 23, 2022.
  7. ^ "FURY Pro Grappling 3 results: Carla Esparza's cut halts main event; Sean Brady upsets Craig Jones". MMA Junkie. December 31, 2021. Retrieved December 23, 2022.
  8. ^ "Who's Number One: Craig Jones v Ronaldo Jr Full Results and Review". February 27, 2021.
  9. ^ "Who's Number One: Craig Jones v Tye Ruotolo Full Results and Review". June 19, 2021.
  10. ^ "WNO Championships Lineup Announced for 115lbs Division". July 30, 2021.
  11. ^ "WNO Championships Full Results and Review". September 27, 2021.
  12. ^ "ONE X: Itsuki Hirata Draws Jihin Radzuan In MMA, Mei Yamaguchi Gets BJJ Star Danielle Kelly". ONE Championship – The Home Of Martial Arts. March 2, 2022. Retrieved December 23, 2022.
  13. ^ "ONE X results: Demetrious Johnson submits Rodtang in mixed-rules bout; Angela Lee retains title with finish". MMA Junkie. March 26, 2022. Retrieved December 23, 2022.
  14. ^ a b "7 Fighters Earn US$50,000 Performance Bonuses At ONE X". ONE Championship – The Home Of Martial Arts. March 28, 2022. Retrieved December 23, 2022.
  15. ^ Tang, Andrea (October 28, 2022). "BREAKING: Danielle Kelly to Face Russian Sambo Champ Mariia Molchanova on November 18". Jiu-Jitsu Times. Retrieved December 23, 2022.
  16. ^ "ONE On Prime Video 4: Abbasov Vs. Lee – Results And Highlights For Every Fight". ONE Championship – The Home Of Martial Arts. November 18, 2022. Retrieved December 23, 2022.
  17. ^ a b "Lee, Alexandre, Kelly Take Home $50K Performance Bonuses At ONE On Prime Video 4". ONE Championship – The Home Of Martial Arts. November 19, 2022. Retrieved December 23, 2022.
  18. ^ "Danielle Kelly To Face Ayaka Miura In Submission Grappling Match At ONE On Prime Video 7". ONE Championship – The Home Of Martial Arts. December 22, 2022. Retrieved December 23, 2022.
  19. ^ "BJJ Reigns Supreme In ONE Fight Night 7 Results". JitsMagazine. February 25, 2023. Retrieved February 25, 2023.
  20. ^ Phillips, Sabrina. "Danielle Kelly Faces Jessa Khan For First Women's Title At ONE Fight Night 14". Meta Mat Warriors. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
  21. ^ "Danielle Kelly Wins First Female Submission Grappling Title At ONE Fight Night 14". Jitsmagazine. September 30, 2023. Retrieved September 30, 2023.
  22. ^ Burne, Kathrine (June 14, 2024). "Danielle Kelly To Defend Title Against Mayssa Bastos At ONE Fight Night 24". Jitsmagazine. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
  23. ^ a b "Submission Hunter Pro 60 Full Results and Review". October 26, 2020.
  24. ^ "UFC Fight Pass Invitational 1 Full Results and Review". December 18, 2021.
  25. ^ says, Jana Valkova-Gordon. "Karel Pravec, Silver Fox | BJJ Heroes". Retrieved December 23, 2022.
  26. ^ a b "RISE Invitational 3: Two Champions Crowned; Action-Packed Superfights". NewYorkFighting.com. January 16, 2018. Retrieved December 23, 2022.
  27. ^ "2019 ADCC North American Trials: (West Coast) | Grappling Event". Tapology. Retrieved December 23, 2022.
  28. ^ "EBI 18 Live Results". MMA Sucka. December 8, 2018. Retrieved December 23, 2022.