Juliana Velasquez has efficiently defended her Bellator flyweight title for the first time.
The principle tournament of Bellator 262 used to be a closely contested championship fight between champ Velasquez (12-0 MMA, 7-0 BMMA) and challenger Denise Kielholz.
The tournament took location at Mohegan Solar Enviornment in Uncasville, Conn. The principle card aired on Showtime following prelims on MMA Junkie.
The first spherical started off with both opponents feeling out the placing differ. The challenger, Kielholtz (6-3 MMA, 6-2 BMMA) build together immediate combos whereas Velasquez’s output used to be decrease with single strikes at some level of the spherical. With 30 seconds left, Kielholtz unleashed a engaging five-punch combo to to find the champ’s consideration and build a brand on the first five minutes of action.
A gigantic combo from @DeniseKielholtz to the champ @JuVelasquezMMA!
Spherical 2 is LIVE on @SHOSports ? #Bellator262https://t.co/TbKTQ7lKsu pic.twitter.com/gCWa3oT4VP
— BellatorMMA (@BellatorMMA) July 17, 2021
Within the 2nd spherical, Velasquez worked in the motivate of a factual-hand jab and commenced to enhance her placing volume as she perceived to establish out her opponent’s differ. Kielholtz gave the impact game for the change of tempo, as she also answered with punches of her personal.
The challenger continues to push the tempo!
We are LIVE on @SHOSports with #Bellator262?https://t.co/TbKTQ7lKsu pic.twitter.com/iWBVRNjZxS
— BellatorMMA (@BellatorMMA) July 17, 2021
The pair continued to change strikes in the heart of the cage early in the third spherical. Kielholtz led the charge by urgent forward with combos, but Velasquez would circle away from hazard earlier than getting too stop to the fence. Kielholtz controlled the heart of the cage for the huge majority of the spherical, whereas Velasquez looked to counter with punches.
With 15 seconds left in the spherical, Velasquez secured her first takedown, but with a short time remaining, nothing predominant got here from it.
The champ @JuVelasquezMMA placing from differ.
Spherical 3 is are dwelling now on @SHOSports ?https://t.co/TbKTQ7lKsu pic.twitter.com/9OuZUZiFaV
— BellatorMMA (@BellatorMMA) July 17, 2021
The fourth started in the same design to the outdated spherical as Kielholtz continued to support the stress on the champ as she circled on the beginning air. Velasquez’s factual-hand jab continued to to find the designate because the blood and bruising on Kielholtz’s face grew to change into more visible. The champ perceived to receive her opponent’s timing and distance down, as she grew to change into more fluid defensively.
Here’s a placing health center!#Bellator262 are dwelling on @SHOSports ?https://t.co/TbKTQ7lKsu pic.twitter.com/7y2rrd2bta
— BellatorMMA (@BellatorMMA) July 17, 2021
The final spherical started with a huge factual hand from Kielholtz to immediate knock the champ off steadiness. Perhaps sensing the fight used to be stop, the challenger grew to change into up the stress. The champ learned the differ all over again and returned to working from the beginning air whereas countering with punches. Kielholtz stuffed a takedown with a minute to transfer and led the placing exchanges unless time expired.
Two of the judges scored the bout in desire of Velasquez with ratings of 48-47, whereas the dissenting judge grew to change into in a win of 48-47 in desire of Kielholtz.
Velasquez improves to 12-0 in her official occupation, deciding on up her first flyweight title protection by split dedication after becoming champion by defeating Ilima-Lei Macfarlane in December.
Kielholtz’s winning streak ends at four after falling to Velasquez in Friday’s major tournament. After shedding to Veta Arteaga by 2nd-spherical submission in 2018, Kielholtz went on a trip of 4 straight finishes to plot a shot at the Bellator title. However, she used to be one judge’s scorecard away from victory on Friday evening.
The burly results of Bellator 262 are below:
- Juliana Velasquez def. Denise Kielholtz through split dedication (48-47, 47-48, 48-47)
- Tyrell Fortune def. Matt Mitrione through submission (strikes) – Spherical 1, 1: 45
- Matheus Mattos def. Cee Jay Hamilton through TKO (punches) – Spherical 2, 1: 33
- Arlene Blencowe def. Dayana Silva through TKO (punches) – Spherical 3, 1: 00
- Johnny Eblen def. Travis Davis through unanimous dedication (30-27, 30-26, 30-26)
- Mentioned Sowma def. Ronny Markes through knockout (punches) – Spherical 1, 1: 09
- Cody Law def. Theodore Macuka through TKO (punches) – Spherical 1, 1: 54
- Diana Avsaragova def. Gabriella Gulfin through split dedication (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
- Adil Benjilany def. Johnny Soto through unanimous dedication (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Charlie Campbell def. Nicholas Giulietti through TKO (punches) – Spherical 2, 1: 30
