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.
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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.”
