In the world of professional athletes, ONE atomweight submission grappling top contender Danielle Kelly has a vivid recollection of the moment that drew her into the world of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu – an experience that left an indelible mark on her.
The 27-year-old athlete from Philadelphia distinctly remembers her initiation into “The Gentle Art” and the significant role a sparring class played in shaping her life. It was a day when she faced off against the boys at her local gym as a young newcomer to martial arts.
She candidly shared her first experience and the profound impact it had on her in a recent interview, saying, “We did a little two-minute sparring class, and I just took down all the boys, and you know, I just fell in love with it.”
Danielle Kelly initially began her journey into combat sports with karate, but the logistical challenges and difficulties in getting to the gym forced her to make a switch to jiu-jitsu to pursue her passion for sports.
Since then, this proud representative of Silver Fox BJJ has not only embraced jiu-jitsu as an escape but has also actively participated in various tournaments. She’s earned her Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt and smoothly transitioned into the world of professional athletics.
With a string of successes in different competitions across the BJJ circuit, including multiple medal wins and awards, Kelly joined the world’s largest martial arts organization in 2022. She maintained an unbeaten record in her first three bouts, securing two victories and a draw.
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This remarkable undefeated streak led to her earning a shot at the world title against her rival, Jessa Khan, in the first-ever women’s submission grappling world title match in ONE Championship. Fans eagerly anticipate their showdown scheduled for September 29 at ONE Fight Night 14, hosted within the confines of the prestigious Singapore Indoor Stadium.
