It Takes a Village for Mayssa Bastos

There are no secrets to Mayssa Bastos’ success. Hard work, discipline, competitive drive and the support of those closest to her have all played pivotal roles in it.

The multiple-time Brazilian jiu-jitsu world champion will challenge Danielle Kelly for the ONE Championship women’s atomweight submission grappling title in the ONE on Prime Video 24 co-main event on Friday at the historic Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. It has taken a collective effort to get Bastos to this point.

“I started in jiu-jitsu through my brother and father,” she told Sherdog.com. “When we were little, our parents put my brother and me in several types of sports. In reality, I got started in judo. After judo, my brother got into jiu-jitsu. One day, my father asked if I wished to try it, too, since my brother had been enjoying himself. That’s when I started practicing. I haven’t stopped since.”

Bastos draws on their assistance to this day.

“Since I got started, I’ve had my family’s support,” she said. “My parents took me to every possible competition every weekend. Sometimes, I competed twice on the same Saturday. They even followed my nutritionist’s diet along with me. They also hired my physical conditioning coach. Since we lived in a small town, everyone knew me. One time, at least, when I was still a minor, the local city government also helped me financially.”

A Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt since 2018, Bastos made her March 8 promotional debut at ONE on Prime Video 20. There, she earned a unanimous decision against Kanae Yamada. Bastos operates out of the Art of Jiu-Jitsu academy in California, splitting her time between Costa Mesa and Mission Viejo.

“My preparation is coming along strong,” she said. “The focus is on improving my own jiu-jitsu.”

Kelly, meanwhile, holds a 3-0-1 record in ONE and finds herself on a three-match winning streak. She last competed at ONE on Prime Video 14 in September, when she took a unanimous decision from Jessa Kahn and laid claim to the inaugural ONE women’s atomweight submission grappling championship. Bastos would like nothing more than to take the extra weight off her shoulder.

“My goal is to capture the belt,” she said. “If possible, I want to first become champion, then stay active defending my belt so I can remain champion for as long as possible. That’s the plan. This is only my second match this year, and it’s already for the belt. I’ll be the first Brazilian woman fighting for a ONE [submission grappling] belt, and I’ll be the first Brazilian woman to hold it.”