Danielle Kelly

Biography

Danielle Kelly is an American Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt and one of the most recognizable athletes in modern womens no-gi grappling. Known for her dangerous guard, sharp leglock entries, and well-rounded submission-oriented style, Kelly has competed against many of the top athletes in the world and earned a reputation as a constant threat in any ruleset.

Kelly spent significant training time at the famed Renzo Gracie Academy “Blue Basement,” developing her no-gi fundamentals and leglock system alongside elite grapplers. She also trains with Kingsway Jiu-Jitsu, further refining her technical guard work, wrestling sequences, and transition-heavy attacking style.

She signed with ONE Championship as a submission grappling athlete, where she quickly became one of the promotion’s most popular competitors, delivering high-action matches built around aggressive guard play, back-taking entries, and lower-body submissions. Her flexible guard, timing on leg attacks, and ability to create scrambles have made her a standout on the global stage.

With a fast-growing profile, a polished technical game, and experience across major platforms, Danielle Kelly continues to be one of the leading figures in womens no-gi grappling.

Personal

* Legend status is reserved for retired athletes with outstanding achievements and a lasting impact on the sport.

Rankings