Danielle Kelly Remembers ‘High-Level’ First Encounter With Jessa Khan Ahead of ONE Fight Night 14

ONE atomweight submission grappling star Danielle Kelly has been tearing through the division. The American star has tackled each fresh contender placed in front of her with the hopes of becoming the weight bracket's inaugural queen.

Now, after dispatching multiple challengers, she battles former foe Jessa Khan for the ONE Atomweight Submission Grappling World Championship at ONE Fight Night 14 on September 30 at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.

Kelly and Khan first crossed paths at Who's Number One? in 2021. It was Kelly's most high-profile meeting at the time. Due to that, Kelly paid too much attention to the media circus surrounding her match.

It quickly affected Kelly's mentality, and a points loss to Khan came as a result. Two years have passed since then, though. And the Silver Fox BJJ grappler feels it's a different story this time.

"I haven't really watched that match. I was too much into the media [last time]. I was too much like, 'I'm really nervous. I'm nervous to go against a high-level grappler.' Now my mindset is really different," Kelly said.

"I feel like I know her game really well. My exchanges, my defense, my offense is going to be way ahead of her. Whatever she gives me, I'm going to give her something back. I have an idea of what she's going to throw at me and I'll be ready. I think she's kind of the same as last time, so we'll see."

'She's Beatable' - Danielle Kelly Sees Clear Path To Victory Over Jessa Khan

Going from an independent athlete to joining the ranks of ONE Championship has been a welcomed adjustment for Danielle Kelly. And the most critical part of that comes in being able to focus purely on her craft.

Now 3-0 in ONE, Kelly feels those changes have allowed her to elevate her game. And this time, she's not paying attention to the media - or the doubters. As a result, the American is confident she'll leave ONE Fight Night 14 as the first-ever ONE Atomweight Submission Grappling World Champion.

"Being under ONE, I'm able to really focus on my camp and my health. I was injured the last time we competed. But, I'm not the type of person to make excuses and get off matches till I'm ready or anything," Kelly said.

"I think I'm taking this time to really focus on my health and my training. I feel like I train with the best, and I'm going to prove that you don't have to be a world champion to be better than anyone else.

"You don't have to have a bunch of titles. I think, you know, she's probably the favorite in this match, and I'm going to prove that she's beatable. That's what I'm going prove."