Danielle Kelly faced Jessa Khan at ONE Fight Night 14 last Friday – and emerged victorious!
This was her second face-off against Khan. In their earlier 2021 match, Khan dominated; but this time, Kelly claimed the ONE Championship atomweight submission grappling title.
While Khan had her moments – like a clean back take – Kelly used the cage wall effectively, trapping Khan against it for much of their bout.
The Philadelphia fighter also attempted a Kneebar, securing a catch. In ONE’s rules, catches matter most. Therefore, Kelly’s single catch to Khan’s none made her the winner.
Kelly shared her feelings after the match:
I envisioned this, and I put it out there today. I didn’t let the noise get to me. This is what I do.
This is my job and I proved that I was the best today. I proved I was better than Jessa Khan.
Kelly is also the first person to hold the ONE women’s submission grappling title:
This means that I’m a warrior.
Again, I worked really hard for this and I’m a champion and I’m just proud to be the face of ONE Championship’s Atomweight Submission Grappling and be the face of women’s Jiu-Jitsu for all the young girls and boys out there. That’s what motivates me.
Furthermore, she wouldn’t have anything against a third match against Khan:
I wouldn’t be opposed to it, but you know I beat her pretty good today.
She had a back exchange at one point, but I escaped it, and I almost choked her out in the last ten seconds.
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Sloth Jiu-Jitsu: you can be slow and unathletic and still kick butt in Jiu-Jitsu.
