[autotag]Juliana Velasquez[/autotag] has successfully defended her Bellator flyweight title for the first time.
The main event of Bellator 262 was a closely contested championship fight between champ Velasquez (12-0 MMA, 7-0 BMMA) and challenger [autotag]Denise Kielholz[/autotag].
The event took place at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. The main card aired on Showtime following prelims on MMA Junkie.
The first round started out with both fighters feeling out the striking range. The challenger, Kielholtz (6-3 MMA, 6-2 BMMA) put together quick combinations while Velasquez’s output was lower with single strikes throughout the round. With 30 seconds left, Kielholtz unleashed a beautiful five-punch combo to get the champ’s attention and put a stamp on the first five minutes of action.
A big combo from @DeniseKielholtz to the champ @JuVelasquezMMA!
Round 2 is LIVE on @SHOSports 👇 #Bellator262https://t.co/TbKTQ7lKsu pic.twitter.com/gCWa3oT4VP
— BellatorMMA (@BellatorMMA) July 17, 2021
In the second round, Velasquez worked behind a right-hand jab and started to increase her striking volume as she appeared to figure out her opponent’s range. Kielholtz seemed game for the change of pace, as she also answered with punches of her own.
The challenger continues to push the pace!
We are LIVE on @SHOSports with #Bellator262👇https://t.co/TbKTQ7lKsu pic.twitter.com/iWBVRNjZxS
— BellatorMMA (@BellatorMMA) July 17, 2021
The pair continued to trade strikes in the center of the cage early in the third round. Kielholtz led the charge by pressing forward with combinations, but Velasquez would circle away from danger before getting too close to the fence. Kielholtz controlled the center of the cage for the majority of the round, while Velasquez looked to counter with punches.
With 15 seconds left in the round, Velasquez secured her first takedown, but with a short time remaining, nothing significant came from it.
The champ @JuVelasquezMMA striking from range.
Round 3 is live now on @SHOSports 👇https://t.co/TbKTQ7lKsu pic.twitter.com/9OuZUZiFaV
— BellatorMMA (@BellatorMMA) July 17, 2021
The fourth started similarly to the previous round as Kielholtz continued to keep the pressure on the champ as she circled on the outside. Velasquez’s right-hand jab continued to find the mark as the blood and bruising on Kielholtz’s face became more visible. The champ appeared to have her opponent’s timing and distance down, as she became more fluid defensively.
This is a striking clinic!#Bellator262 live on @SHOSports 👇https://t.co/TbKTQ7lKsu pic.twitter.com/7y2rrd2bta
— BellatorMMA (@BellatorMMA) July 17, 2021
The final round started with a huge right hand from Kielholtz to briefly knock the champ off balance. Perhaps sensing the fight was close, the challenger turned up the pressure. The champ found the range again and returned to working from the outside while countering with punches. Kielholtz stuffed a takedown with a minute to go and led the striking exchanges until time expired.
Two of the judges scored the bout in favor of Velasquez with scores of 48-47, while the dissenting judge turned in a score of 48-47 in favor of Kielholtz.
Velasquez improves to 12-0 in her professional career, picking up her first flyweight title defense by split decision after becoming champion by defeating Ilima-Lei Macfarlane in December.
Kielholtz’s winning streak ends at four after falling to Velasquez in Friday’s main event. After losing to Veta Arteaga by second-round submission in 2018, Kielholtz went on a tear of four straight finishes to earn a shot at the Bellator title. However, she was one judge’s scorecard away from victory on Friday evening.
The full results of Bellator 262 are below:
- Juliana Velasquez def. Denise Kielholtz via split decision (48-47, 47-48, 48-47)
- Tyrell Fortune def. Matt Mitrione via submission (strikes) – Round 1, 1:45
- Matheus Mattos def. Cee Jay Hamilton via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 1:33
- Arlene Blencowe def. Dayana Silva via TKO (punches) – Round 3, 1:00
- Johnny Eblen def. Travis Davis via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26, 30-26)
- Said Sowma def. Ronny Markes via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 1:09
- Cody Law def. Theodore Macuka via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 1:54
- Diana Avsaragova def. Gabriella Gulfin via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
- Adil Benjilany def. Johnny Soto via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Charlie Campbell def. Nicholas Giulietti via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 1:30
[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqvpne7c1q486dvv player_id=01f5k5h8pz3brj4xqb image=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]
[listicle id=638911]
