ONE Women’s Atomweight Submission Grappling World Champion Danielle Kelly is heading into her first World Title defense with a chip on her shoulder. Kelly would have been at the top of her career by now but the fighter believes that much has to be achieved by her before claiming her legacy.

At ONE Fight Night 24: Brooks vs. Balart on Friday, August 3, the American grappling star is set to square off against Mayssa Bastos in the penultimate match of the evening inside Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, and she’ll be looking to add to her unbeaten four-fight stint.

Danielle Kelly faces her toughest challenge yet in Mayssa Bastos

However, Bastos may be her most dangerous foe yet. The Brazilian’s 115 career wins in the sport dwarfs Kelly’s 22-win professional record, making her the more experienced fighter despite the American being the defending World Champion.

But the Philadelphia native is laser-focused on what she wants to achieve, and she broke down what fans can expect to see in a short interview with Home of Fight posted on her Instagram page.

“It’s going to be a pretty competitive matchup. I know she’s competing in ADCC in the next two weeks, so my goal is try to break her so she’s not able to compete. But I want to prove myself, as always,” she said. Kelly claimed the inaugural women’s atomweight submission grappling belt by avenging a previous loss to longtime rival Jessa Khan at ONE Fight Night 14 last September.

Kelly’s chance to prove her dominance

This time out, though, she will be tasked with facing someone who has been a key figure in her development as a submission grappler, so the pressure to perform has never been higher.

Bastos has been on Kelly’s radar ever since she won the first competition she ever competed in. Despite her upcoming foe holding special significance to her, the 26-year-old wants everyone to know there won’t be any stars in her eyes when they square off at ONE Fight Night 24.

“I’ve always looked up to her. Even in the first tournament I competed (in), she won it. Pretty much won everything. She beat every girl at 115, 105, so I think this is my chance to prove that I’m the best,” Kelly said.