Danielle Kelly (grappler)

Last updated

Danielle Kelly
Born (1995-12-04) December 4, 1995 (age 28)
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Height5 ft 5 in (1.65 m)
Weight115 lb (52 kg)
DivisionAtomweight
TeamSilver Fox BJJ
Evolve MMA
Rank1st degree black belt in BJJ under Karel Pravec [1]

Danielle Kelly (born December 4, 1995) is an American submission grappler and Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt who was the inaugural and former ONE Champion at atomweight, after she defeated by fellow BJJ practitioner Mayssa Bastos. [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]

Contents

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 defended her title against Mayssa Bastos at ONE Fight Night 24 on August 2nd, 2024. [22] She lost the fight via unanimous decision. [23]

Kelly will challenge Mayssa Bastos for her ONE Women's Atomweight Submission Grappling World Title in a rematch on December 6, 2024 at ONE Fight Night 26. [24]

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. [25]

She fought at the inaugural UFC Fightpass Invitational on December 16, 2021, taking on Alexa Yanes. Kelly lost the match via split decision. [26]

Instructor lineage

Kano Jigoro → Tomita Tsunejirō → Mitsuyo Maeda → Carlos Gracie Sr. → Hélio Gracie → Rolls Gracie → Carlos Gracie Jr. → Renzo Gracie → Karel Pavec → Danielle Kelly [27]

Championships and accomplishments

Submission grappling record

Professional record breakdown
30 matches20 wins9 losses
By submission143
By decision66
Draws1
ResultRecordOpponentMethodEventDivisionTypeDateLocation
Win20–9–1 Flag of Cambodia.svg Jessa Khan Decision (unanimous) ONE Fight Night 14 −115 lbsNogiSeptember 29, 2023 Flag of Singapore.svg Kallang
Win19–9–1 Flag of Japan.svg Ayaka MiuraDecision (unanimous) ONE Fight Night 7 −119 lbsNogiFebruary 24, 2023 Flag of Thailand.svg Bangkok
Win18–9–1 Flag of Russia.svg Mariia MolchanovaSubmission (rear-naked choke) ONE on Prime Video 4 −115 lbsNogiNovember 18, 2022 Flag of Singapore.svg Kallang
Draw17–9–1 Flag of Japan.svg Mei Yamaguchi Draw (time expire) ONE: X −115 lbsNogiMarch 26, 2022 Flag of Singapore.svg Kallang
Win17–9 Flag of the United States.svg Carla Esparza Doctor stoppage (cut)Fury Pro Grappling 3−115 lbsNogiDecember 30, 2021 Flag of the United States.svg Philadelphia, PA
Loss16–9 Flag of the United States.svg Alexa YanesDecision (split)UFC Fight Pass Invitational−125 lbsNogiDecember 16, 2021 Flag of the United States.svg Las Vegas, NV
Win16–8 Flag of the United States.svg Cathryn MillaresDecisionFury Pro Grappling 2−115 lbsNogiOctober 29, 2021 Flag of the United States.svg Philadelphia, PA
Loss15–8 Flag of the United States.svg Tammi Musumeci Submission (armlock)Who's Number One Championship–115 lbsNogiSeptember 26, 2021 Flag of the United States.svg Austin, TX
Win15–7 Flag of the United States.svg Jessica CraneSubmission (inside heel hook)
Loss14–7 Flag of the United States.svg Grace GundrumDecisionSeptember 25, 2021
Win14–6 Flag of the United States.svg Sofia AmaranteSubmission (rear-naked choke)Fury Pro Grappling 1−115 lbsNogiJuly 2, 2021 Flag of the United States.svg Philadelphia, PA
Win13–6 Flag of the United States.svg Jessica CraneSubmission (kneebar)WNO: Craig Jones vs Tye Ruotolo−115 lbsNogiJune 18, 2021 Flag of the United States.svg Austin, TX
Loss12–6 Flag of Cambodia.svg Jessa Khan DecisionWNO: Craig Jones vs Ronaldo Junior−115 lbsNogiFebruary 26, 2021 Flag of the United States.svg Austin, TX
Win12–5 Flag of the United States.svg Roxanne Modafferi Submission (toe hold)Sumision Hunter Pro 60−130 lbsNogiOctober 25, 2020 Flag of the United States.svg Houston, TX
Loss11–5 Flag of the United States.svg Grace GundrumFastest Escape TimeJiu-Jitsu Over Time: The Featherweights−115 lbsNogiJuly 19, 2020 Flag of the United States.svg Los Angeles, CA
Loss11–4 Flag of the United States.svg Nicole SullivanSubmission2020 IBJJF San Jose Open No Gi−135.6 lbsNogiFebruary 25, 2020 Flag of the United States.svg San Jose, CA
Win11–3 Flag of the United States.svg Cynthia Calvillo Submission (ankle lock)Quintet Ultra−115 lbsNogiDecember 12, 2019 Flag of the United States.svg Las Vegas, NV
Win10–3 Flag of the United States.svg Jillian DeCourseySubmission (kneebar)Rise Invitational 8−115 lbsNogiOctober 26, 2019 Flag of the United States.svg Westbury, NY
Win9–3 Flag of the United States.svg Brittany WayOT2019 SubStars at The Tank 2−115 lbsNogiJuly 19, 2019 Flag of the United States.svg Miami, FL
Win8–3 Flag of the United States.svg Mariuxi LlagunoPoints2019 JitzKing Tampa−125 lbsNogiJuly 6, 2019 Flag of the United States.svg Tampa, FL
Loss7–3 Flag of the United States.svg Nicole SullivanSubmission2019 ADCC West Coast Trials–60 kgNogiFebruary 9, 2019 Flag of the United States.svg Burbank, CA
Win7–2 Flag of the United States.svg Jessica BuchmanSubmission
Win6–2 Flag of the United States.svg Alison StieglerSubmission
Loss5–2 Flag of Japan.svg Rikako Yuasa Fastest Escape TimeEBI 18–115 lbsNogiDecember 9, 2018 Flag of the United States.svg Austin, TX
Win5–1 Flag of the United States.svg Lilaa SmadjaSubmission (armbar)
Win4–1 Flag of Brazil.svg Bruna BrunsSubmission (heel hook)Fight 2 Win 81−115 lbsNogiJuly 21, 2018 Flag of the United States.svg Philadelphia, PA
Win3–1 Flag of the United States.svg Amanda KrammySubmission (armbar)Rise Invitational 3–125 lbsNogiJanuary 13, 2018 Flag of the United States.svg Westbury, NY
Win2–1 Flag of the United States.svg Lauren BracciaSubmission (armbar)
Win1–1 Flag of the United States.svg Lilaa SmadjaOT2014 Pan Jiu-Jitsu IBJJF Championship–125 lbsNogiMarch 12, 2014 Flag of the United States.svg Irvine, CA
Loss0–1 Flag of Japan.svg Rikako Yuasa OT

[3] [4] [29] [30] [28]

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References

  1. 1 2 "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. 1 2 "Danielle Kelly | FloGrappling | Grappling". www.flograppling.com. Retrieved December 23, 2022.
  4. 1 2 "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. 1 2 "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. 1 2 "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. ↑ "Mayssa Bastos Dethrones Danielle Kelly In ONE Fight Night 24 Results". Jitsmagazine. Retrieved August 4, 2024.
  24. ↑ de Souza, Diogo. "Mayssa Bastos vs Danielle Kelly Rematch Booked For ONE Fight Night 26". Jits Magazine. Retrieved October 30, 2024.
  25. 1 2 "Submission Hunter Pro 60 Full Results and Review". October 26, 2020.
  26. ↑ "UFC Fight Pass Invitational 1 Full Results and Review". December 18, 2021.
  27. ↑ says, Jana Valkova-Gordon. "Karel Pravec, Silver Fox | BJJ Heroes" . Retrieved December 23, 2022.
  28. 1 2 "RISE Invitational 3: Two Champions Crowned; Action-Packed Superfights". NewYorkFighting.com. January 16, 2018. Retrieved December 23, 2022.
  29. ↑ "2019 ADCC North American Trials: (West Coast) | Grappling Event". Tapology. Retrieved December 23, 2022.
  30. ↑ "EBI 18 Live Results". MMA Sucka. December 8, 2018. Retrieved December 23, 2022.
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