If I am easy, just take the match: Danielle Kelly calls out Angela Lee again

Ace grappler Danielle Kelly burst into the global martial arts stage in 2022.

The Philadelphia-born BJJ black belt competed in the first women's submission grappling fight in ONE Championship history in March at ONE X, receiving a US$50,000 performance bonus for her spectacular display of skill and intelligence versus MMA great Mei Yamaguchi.

Eight months later, at ONE on Prime Video 4, Kelly easily defeated Sambo World Champion Mariia Molchanova, earning a bonus for her efforts.

When she looks back on the past year, the 27-year-old is proud of her accomplishments, but she is also taken aback by her swift climb and the overall rise of submission grappling inside the organisation.

“It was probably the best year for jiu-jitsu and being a jiu-jitsu athlete. Looking back, I wasn’t expecting to be in that spot at all. It meant a lot to be able to be the first jiu-jitsu women’s grappling match for ONE. I worked really hard,” Kelly noted in an interview with ONE Championship recently.

Danielle Kelly aims to make even more history in 2023, with ONE Championship continuing to establish additional championships in submission grappling.

She could achieve just that if she wins gold in the atomweight division, which she is aiming for.

“I want to win that women’s World Title for 115 [pounds], for sure,” Kelly added in the interview.

ALSO READ | Angela Lee says that she is ready for grappling match with Danielle Kelly

Speaking further, Kelly noted that She'd love to clear the score with Angela Lee, the defending atomweight MMA champion. Lee, a brilliant black belt in her own right, has publicly asserted that she can submit Kelly, sparking a rivalry between two of ONE's biggest stars.

“Angela Lee, I only called her out because she said she can submit me. I like easy matches. I said it before. No hard feelings. But you know, I mean, if I’m such an easy match then just take the match,” Kelly added.

What do you think of a matchup between Angela Lee and Danielle Kelly? Let us know in the comments below.

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