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Successful first title defense
Velasquez defeated Denise Kielholtz via split decision (48-47, 47-48, 48-47) to defend her Bellator Women's Flyweight Title at Bellator 262 on Friday.
ANALYSIS
Velasquez had to overcome a slow start that saw her nose bloodied by her opponent, a kickboxing specialist. While her wrestling attempts were largely unsuccessful outside of Round 3, Velasquez was able to get back into it with striking of her own. There were ultimately several close rounds in a fight that could have easily gone either way, but Velasquez still heard "and still" at the end of the night. She's now a perfect 7-0 under the Bellator banner and 12-0 in mixed martial arts.
Velasquez had to overcome a slow start that saw her nose bloodied by her opponent, a kickboxing specialist. While her wrestling attempts were largely unsuccessful outside of Round 3, Velasquez was able to get back into it with striking of her own. There were ultimately several close rounds in a fight that could have easily gone either way, but Velasquez still heard "and still" at the end of the night. She's now a perfect 7-0 under the Bellator banner and 12-0 in mixed martial arts.
Captures Bellator flyweight title
Velasquez defeated Ilima-Lei Macfarlane via unanimous decision (48-47, 49-46, 48-47) at Bellator 254 on Dec. 10.
ANALYSIS
The first few rounds were a bit underwhelming, but Velasquez got her striking going in Round 3 and started to pour on the punishment. The Brazilian did get taken to the mat a few times, but also showed excellent grappling prowess herself, sealing the victory with a judo throw as time expired in the fifth. The southpaw fighter is an Olympic-level judoka who is now 11-0 as a pro (5-0 under the Bellator banner). Knocking off the only flyweight champion Bellator has ever known is a feat in itself, so it remains to be seen what's next. A rematch may be in the cards considering Macfarlane's dominant reign as champion.
The first few rounds were a bit underwhelming, but Velasquez got her striking going in Round 3 and started to pour on the punishment. The Brazilian did get taken to the mat a few times, but also showed excellent grappling prowess herself, sealing the victory with a judo throw as time expired in the fifth. The southpaw fighter is an Olympic-level judoka who is now 11-0 as a pro (5-0 under the Bellator banner). Knocking off the only flyweight champion Bellator has ever known is a feat in itself, so it remains to be seen what's next. A rematch may be in the cards considering Macfarlane's dominant reign as champion.
Fights her way into the title picture
Velasquez defeated Alejandra Lara via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 30-27) at Bellator 212 on Friday in Honolulu.
ANALYSIS
This was an interesting fight between two contenders for the Bellator flyweight title. It took Velasquez a round to figure out her range, but when she did, she was able to control the striking and take the decision. She has above average reach for someone her size, and that allowed her to score from the outside. This victory perhaps puts her in line for the next shot at the Bellator flyweight title, which Ilima-Lei Macfarlane defends against Valerie Letourneau on Saturday.
This was an interesting fight between two contenders for the Bellator flyweight title. It took Velasquez a round to figure out her range, but when she did, she was able to control the striking and take the decision. She has above average reach for someone her size, and that allowed her to score from the outside. This victory perhaps puts her in line for the next shot at the Bellator flyweight title, which Ilima-Lei Macfarlane defends against Valerie Letourneau on Saturday.
Remains undefeated with third-round finish at Bellator 197
Velasquez defeated Rebecca Ruth via TKO (kick) at 0:19 of Round 3 at Bellator 197 on Friday in St. Charles, Mo.
ANALYSIS
Velasquez comes from an extensive judo background and was very impressive in her Bellator debut. Against a tough veteran, Velasquez picked up another victory. Velasquez had a reach advantaged and used it to control the striking. Ruth did manage to land a knockdown in the second round, but Velasquez got up and scored a knockdown of her own. In the final round, Velasquez landed a front kick to the body that hurt Ruth and ended the fight. Velasquez has likely done enough to put herself in the flyweight title picture.
Velasquez comes from an extensive judo background and was very impressive in her Bellator debut. Against a tough veteran, Velasquez picked up another victory. Velasquez had a reach advantaged and used it to control the striking. Ruth did manage to land a knockdown in the second round, but Velasquez got up and scored a knockdown of her own. In the final round, Velasquez landed a front kick to the body that hurt Ruth and ended the fight. Velasquez has likely done enough to put herself in the flyweight title picture.