Juliana Velasquez successfully defended her title at Bellator 262, scoring a decision victory over Denise Kielholtz.
Velasquez used her all-around skills to best the kickboxing champion, picking up a split decision live on Showtime.
“I think I would be clinching a bit more, her striking didn’t surprise me, but I felt that I did enough to retain the title,” Velasquez said.
“I beat her with my jab, if you look at her face, it’s messed up, if you look at mine, my face is fine. I think people in the audience favor her because she has a kickboxing style and I counter, but I think it was my boxing that was the difference tonight.”
In the co-main event, Tyrell Fortune finished Matt Mitrione when the former UFC heavyweight contender submitted to strikes in the first round.
“I feel great coming out of the fight. He stepped forward so I went for the shot instead of throwing the punch and I guess I made contact with my head,” Fortune said. “Besides that I was running through him for the takedown. As you saw, I finished on top, and the fight went from there.”
Bellator 262 Results
C-Juliana Velasquez (12-0) defeated #3-Denise Kielholtz (6-3) via split decision (48-47, 47-48, 48-47)
#5–Tyrell Fortune (11-1, 1 NC) defeated #7-Matt Mitrione (13-9, 1 NC) via submission (strikes) at 1:45 of round one
Matheus Mattos (13-2-1) defeated Cee Jay Hamilton (15-9) via TKO (strikes) at 1:33 of round two
#2–Arlene Blencowe (14-8) defeated Dayana Silva (9-6) via TKO (punches) at 1:00 of round three
#5-Johnny Eblen (9-0) defeated Travis Davis (10-5) via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26, 30-26)
Said Sowma (7-2) defeated Ronny Markes (19-9) via KO (punches) at 1:09 of round one
Cody Law (4-0) defeated Theodore Macuka (1-1) via TKO (punches) at 1:54 of round one
Diana Avsaragova (4-0) defeated Gabriella Gulfin (2-3) via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Adil Benjilany (6-3, 1 NC) defeated Johnny Soto (4-2) via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Charlie Campbell (4-1) defeated Nicholas Giulietti (2-2) via TKO (punches) at 1:30 of round two