Danielle Kelly debut ONE match against Mei Yamaguchi ends in draw, BJJ star wins 50K

The BJJ rising star makes an impressive debut at One Championship against Mei Yamaguchi

Danielle Kelly’s first match at One Championship against Japanese sensation Mei “V.V” Yamaguchi resulted in a draw after 12 minutes of intense back-and-forth action between the athletes. Kelly counteracted Yamaguchi’s relentless top game with creativity, fast scrambles and dangerous submission attempts. Kelly’s sensational performance against the Japanese MMA icon in the atomweight submission grappling match at ONE solidifies the promise of a bright future on an international scale for the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu rising star.

A submissions expert, Kelly’s record includes wins over veteran UFC fighters Carla Esparza, Roxanne Modafferi, and Cynthia Calvillo and multiple-time IBJJF World Champion Sofia Amarante, who she beat by rear-naked choke.

“I can’t put into words how much this means to me, I try my best to be the best I can be whether that’s on or off the mats. I love what ONE represents”, Kelly said after signing with the organization

As a result, Kelly participation in the match has earned her a $50,000 bonus as part of ONE X. Watch Kelly’s emotional reaction after receiving news of her prize: