According to ONE submission grappling superstar and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt Danielle Kelly, 2022 was the best year for Jiu-Jitsu in the history of the sport and expects 2023 is only going to bring more opportunities for grappling athletes.
Silverfox black belt Danielle Kelly really had a stellar 2022 in terms of her competition performances on the mats. She made history by competing in and winning, the first-ever female submission grappling match in ONE FC against MMA legend Mei Yamaguchi. That was not only a big moment for the 27-year-old grappler, but for female Jiu-Jitsu in general.
“It was probably the best year for jiu-jitsu and being a jiu-jitsu athlete. Looking back, I wasn’t expecting to be in that spot at all. It meant a lot to be able to be the first jiu-jitsu women’s grappling match for ONE. I worked really hard,” said Kelly in an interview for ONE FC.
View this post on Instagram
She went on to quickly submit Sambo World Champion Mariia Molchanova, getting the third win for Jiu-Jitsu in a feud between Sambo and BJJ fueled by ONE FC. In her reflections on 2022, Kelly is grateful for her chances so far, but remains hungry for titles:
“So I think what I got out of it this year is I think I’m a different grappler. So, yeah, I’m taking it seriously and I’m just really, really grateful to be here and be in a spot that I’m in.
I want to win that women’s World Title for 115 [pounds], for sure.”
There are two possible high-profile opponents for Danielle which would bring even more attention to female grapplers, creating opportunities for Jiu-Jitsu professionals on a global level:
“Angela Lee, I only called her out because she said she can submit me. I like easy matches. I said it before. No hard feelings. But you know, I mean, if I’m such an easy match then just take the match.
If ONE would do a women’s World Title, I would love to go against Jessa Khan. People think I’m dodging jiu-jitsu people, but I’ve been studying her, so I hope I get that match.”