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Kielholtz was coming in off a loss to Juliana Velasquez for the title, a fight that had ended in a close split decision. Watanabe had run into Liz Carmouche last time out, who had gone on to dethrone Velasquez last month.

Kielholtz came out fired up, letting loose off the opening bell, throwing a number of right hands. Watanabe responded by neutralizing that attack with a takedown; Kielholtz found herself stacked up, looking to isolate an arm. Watanabe would finally hoist Kielholtz up, and the Dutch fighter released her grip, dropping to the mat. From there, Watanabe would end up in guard, then transition to the back, looking for a choke up against the fence. Kielholtz rolled, and Kana Watanabe finished the round on her opponent’s back.

Round two found the pair going back to the ground early, which resulted in a kick to the face of Watanabe — a blatant foul on the part of Denise Kielholtz. After the doctor had checked on Watanabe, the ref deducted a point from Kielholtz, but restarted the action on the feet. Kana was clearly not impressed with that decision, given the foul had come while the pair were intertwined on the ground. That said, Watanabe would get the fight back down, and that set up the finish. She managed to trap Kielholtz in a triangle, locked it up, and forced the tap!

Having overcome some early adversity plus the foul in round two, Kana Watanabe pulls off the upset win — and inches closer to a rematch with Carmouche.

Official Result: Kana Watanabe def. Denise Kielholtz by submission (triangle), Round 2, 3:03

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Kielholtz (6-3) fell just short against Juliana Velasquez last year, coming out on the wrong side of a split decision. She does have revenge on her mind — but before avenging her loss, it’s the title she’s focused on, which has since changed hands and is now held by Liz Carmouche.

“You know, first I had Velasquez, because I thought that she was the champion. But now we have a new champion, and the first thing that’s on my mind is to be a champion in two divisions, or in two different sports,” the decorated kickboxer told Cageside Press during this week’s Bellator 281 media day. “So that’s my main goal.”

After that goal is accomplished, continued Kielholtz, “then Velasquez is the second one [goal]. But my first, main goal is my belt.”

To get to that championship opportunity, the Dutch 33-year old first has to get through Japan’s Watanabe. Watanabe is 2-1 inside the Bellator cage, but fell to Carmouche in her last outing — and in MMA, you’re only as good as your last performance. Even with other fighters it seems.

“If I have to be honest, when I saw her last fight, I was not really impressed by the last fight she fought,” admitted Kielholtz. “But that’s why I know she comes here to prove herself, and be the best version of herself. So I just focus on a Kana Watanabe that will be her best version of herself against me.”

That said, added Kielholtz, “I am prepared for everything.”

Watch the full Belltor 281 media day appearance from Denise Kielholtz above. Kielholtz faces Kana Watanabe in a women’s flyweight contest this Friday, May 13, 2022 as part of Bellator 281 at the SSE Arena, Wembley in London, England.

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Bellator officials confirmed Tuesday that Denise Kielholtz vs. Kana Watanabe, and Daniel Weichel vs. Robert Whiteford, had joined the promotion’s return to the British capital.

MMA Fighting was first to report the match-ups.

Kielholtz (6-3), a former Bellator title challenger and Bellator Kickboxing champion known as “Miss Dynamite,” will be fighting for the first time since a failed bid at Juliana Velasquez’s flyweight title. That fight took place at Bellator 262 last July, and saw Kielholtz on the losing end of a split decision.

Watanabe (10-1-1) suffered the first loss of her professional MMA career in her last outing, against Liz Carmouche. Prior to that, the Japanese fighter had won two bouts under the Bellator MMA banner. In those, she got the better of former title challenger Alejandra Lara and Brazilian talent Ilara Joanne.

Daniel Weichel (41-13) will be looking to get back in the win column at Bellator London in May. In 2021, he split a pair of fights, earning a split decision against Keoni Diggs before dropping a unanimous decision against Pedro Carvalho in November. The German featherweight has twice challenged for gold in Bellator’s 145lb division, and won the promotion’s Season 10 featherweight tournament.

Whiteford (16-4, 1NC) returned to action last October after a nearly two-year absence. However, an accidental eye poke by Andrew Fisher left him unable to continue at Bellator 267, resulting in a No Contest.

Bellator London takes place Friday, May 13, 2022 at the SSE Arena, Wembley in London, England. The main event sees Yaroslav Amosov defending his welterweight title against England’s own Michael “Venom” Page.

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After capturing the championship from Ilima-Lei Macfarlane in her last outing, the undefeated Brazilian was looking to improve to 12-0 in Uncasville, CT. Opposite her, Bellator kickboxing champ Denise Kielholtz, riding a four-fight win streak and looking to become a two-sport champ under the Bellator banner.

The first thing you noticed in Friday’s title fight between Juliana Velasquez and Denise Kielholtz was the size difference. Velasquez towered over the challenger, who looked to land leg kicks and find a way inside early in the opening round. Kielholtz’s entries were explosive, her left hand barely missing the mark at times. As the round progressed, Kielholtz hit the mark, while Velasquez answered back.

Round two found Velasquez looking a little more sure of herself. Kielholtz, throughout the fight to that point, had held center, keeping the champ on the outside more often than not. But the Brazilian pushed forward, leading with her jab. And the more she used that jab, the more she could unload her left hand. With just under two minutes left, Velasquez changed levels for a takedown, but Kielholtz easily fought it off.

As the round went on, Kielholtz landed kicks to the inside and outside of the champ’s lead leg, before the pair exchanged fire. Kielholtz definitely had more behind the bulk of her shots, but Velasquez had begun catching up in terms of output.

In the third, Juliana Velasquez was once again pushed to the outside. She began firing leg kicks, and continued to work her jab. Kielholtz was head hunting, but she was also showing damage around the eye care of the champ’s jab. Come the championship rounds, it felt as if Velasquez had really found her stride, while Denise Kielholtz was holding on to a puncher’s chance to win the fight.

The chance to finish would not come in round four, however. Instead, Velasquez continued to circle, land, and circle out again. Kielholtz was leaking blood by the end of the round, while the champion looked the much fresher fighter. Velasquez would see a takedown stuffed late, with Kielholtz landing a left on the exit, but the champ was never in danger.

This is a striking clinic!#Bellator262 live on @SHOSports 👇https://t.co/TbKTQ7lKsu pic.twitter.com/7y2rrd2bta

— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) July 17, 2021

Kielholtz would land her best punch of the fight in the opening minute of the fifth and final round of Bellator 262’s main event. That knocked Velasquez off-balance, and she was clearly in danger, but moved out of harm’s way. Kielholtz was the much busier fighter in the first half of the round; Velasquez’s best moment was a kick landing to the body. She’d try for a takedown, and would again in the final minute of the round, but in the end the pair traded to the final bell.

Come the scorecards, Velasquez took home the split decision, a result unpopular with the crowd in attendance. But in a close fight, Kielholtz simply took too much damage once the champ got her jab going.

Official Result: Juliana Velasquez def. Denise Kielholtz by split decision (48-47, 47-48, 48-47)

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The undefeated Velasquez, 11-0 to start the night, had dethroned Ilima-Lei Macfarlane in her last fight — bringing about an end to the inaugural women’s flyweight champion’s reign. Macfarlane had become one of the faces of Bellator MMA during her tenure as champ, so Velasquez had some big shoes to fill.

Her first title defense came against Bellator kickboxing champ Kielholtz, whose transition to MMA had been successful enough to see her win her last four bouts.

Also on the card, training partners turned opponents Tyrell Fortune and Matt Mitrione made up the heavyweight co-main event, while prospects Cody Law and Johnny Eblen were in action as well.

Full results from Bellator 262 at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT can be found below; the live stream of the preliminary card is above. For viewers in Canada and other regions with no televised broadcast, the Bellator 262 main card live stream can be found below as well.

Bellator 262: Velasquez vs. Kielholtz Results

Juliana Velasquez (c) def. Denise Kielholtz by split decision (48-47, 47-48, 48-47) – for the Bellator MMA women’s flyweight championship
Tyrell Fortune def. Matt Mitrione by submission (strikes), Round 1, 1:45
Matheus Mattos def. Cee Jay Hamilton by TKO Round 2, 1:33
Arlene Blencowe def. Dayana Silva by TKO, Round 3, 1:00
Johnny Eblen def. Travis Davis by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26, 30-26)

Preliminary card

Said Sowma def. Ronny Markes by knockout, Round 1, 1:09
Cody Law def. Theodore Macuka by TKO, Round 1, 1:54
Diana Avsaragova def. Gabriella Gulfin by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Adil Benjilany def. Johnny Soto by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Charlie Campbell def. Nick Giulietti by TKO, Round 2, 1:30

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The 32-year old “Miss Dynamite” is a Bellator Kickboxing and Enfusion world champion. Now, she takes on the undefeated Juliana Velasquez with flyweight gold on the line.

“It’s a little bit more extra excitement, because I know this title is the crown of all those years of hard work,” the Dutch striker told Cageside Press this week. Kielholtz started with judo, jumped to kickboxing, where she became a world champion, then made the transition to MMA. “This Friday night is just the crown of all that hard work, all those years of hard work. So that’s a little bit more exciting, but that’s why I’m enjoying more [of] everything that’s happening now.”

Kielholtz knows that she still has a lot to learn. “That’s what makes this whole MMA game more exciting, because you never out-learn.” The Dutch fighter believes she has been growing more everything fight camp. “If everything that I’ve been working on, all the abilities that I work on, if that comes out this Friday, then I will be a fighter that everyone in this division can watch out [for]. Because I know that I am also a world champion in MMA.”

What has she done special for this camp against Velasquez? Maybe it’s just her overall prep, which never stops. “I’m always working, even if I don’t have to fight,” noted Kielholtz, who revealed that she was already working for this fight last year, after her last bout.

Watch the full Bellator 262 media day interview with Denise Kielholtz above. The event takes place Friday, July 16 at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT.

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Women’s flyweight champion Juliana Velasquez (11-0) will defend her belt in the main event against Denise Kielholtz (6-2). Preceding the title fight on the card is the return of Matt Mitrione (13-8) who takes on Tyrell Fortune (10-1) in the co-main event.

All fighters made weight on Thursday morning in Unvasville, CT, although preliminary card flyweight Diana Avsaragova needed some extra time, and a towel, to hit the 126lb non-title limit. The Russian fighter wound up weighing in just in the nick of time, but she did successfully make weight in the end. Johnny Soto also needed a couple of tries, but did hit the featherweight limit.

Full results and the ceremonial weigh-in live stream can be found below.

Bellator 262: Velasquez vs. Kielholtz Weigh-In Results

Main Card (Showtime, 9pm ET)

Flyweight: (C) Juliana Velasquez (125) vs. Denise Kielholtz (124)
Heavyweight: Tyrell Fortune (233.5) vs. Matt Mitrione (261)
Bantamweight:  Cee Jay Hamilton (135.5) vs. Matheus Mattos (135.75)
Featherweight: Arlene Blencowe (146) vs. Dayana Silva (146)
Middleweight: Travis Davis (186) vs. Johnny Eblen (186)

Preliminary card (Cageside Press, 6:30pm ET)

Heavyweight: Ronny Markes (252) vs. Said Sowma (245)
Featherweight: Cody Law (145.75) vs. Theodore Macuka (146)
Women’s Flyweight: Diana Avsaragova(126)* vs. Gabriella Gulfin (124.75)
Featherweight: Adil Benjilany (145.750 vs. Johnny Soto (146)
Lightweight: Charlie Campbell (155) vs. Nicholas Giulietti (156)

* Avsagarova received one hour to cut the extra 0.5 pounds, after initially weighing in at 126.5lbs

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ACA 126 | Russia | Thursday

Light heavyweight, Muslim Magomedov (9-0)

Magomedov has only been competing in MMA for a few years but prior to that, he had experience in Combat Sambo. In his first fight as an amateur, he suffered his only defeat in MMA. That loss was to current UFC contender Magomed Ankalaev. Magomedov went on to have a successful amateur career winning the WMMAA 2018 European Championship. Despite not offering much on the feet, Magomed is an excellent wrestler. His timing on his shots is fine and the way he shoots so low makes his execution near-perfect. The work he does on top is his best aspect. He has a good top position and his ground and pound is strong, active, and lands hard. He fights Evgeny Egemberdiev (12-3).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2J_HiHGeJCE&ab_channel=BigoShow

ACM 103 | Russia | Thursday

Lightweight, Yusup Raisov (17-2)

Yusuf is a very technical striker as he throws a range of combinations from different angles. In combinations, Yusuf is usually throwing up to four strikes at a time which is sensational. He’s a pocket striker unloading tight punches from a short distance. He’s good at mixing in leg kicks in combinations mixing them at the end of punches and sometimes will throw punches after a kick. He usually picks his shots with his kicks but will throw with some flash using spinning kicks. When he spins he does usually connect and he has a finish from a spinning kick to the liver. The wrestling of Raisov is his best weapon by a large margin and that says something. Like a lot of Russian fighters, Raisov has high-level top-notch wrestling. Everything in this department Raisov does perfectly. If he doesn’t secure the initial takedown he’s good at chaining attempts together getting the fight to the mat the second time. He fights Alexey Makhno (25-8).

Featherweight, Azizkhan Chorshanbiev (6-0)

From Tajikistan, Chorshanbiev is a smart tactical fighter. He fights really patiently and picks his shots while still having a 100% finish rate. I believe he has some type of background in boxing and it really shows. Chorshanbiev has a quick snapping jab and laser straight punches. I’ve seen him taken down with little issue but he has swept guys and got top position. He has good movement along with quick hand speed. Still, a lot needs to be proven but he looks good. He fights Moris Boleyan (5-0).

SFT 27 | Brazil | Thursday

Lightweight, Manoel Sousa (6-0)

Sousa is a heavy-handed fighter who slings powerful right and left hooks. He does a good job going to the body and throwing kicks behind his strikes. He has good head movement and good footwork as well. The very athletic Sousa also has a strong wrestling attack and is a submission threat. He fights Brendo Bispo (17-4).

Lightweight, Brendo Bispo (17-4)

Bispo is a fearsome striker. He has the speed, technique, and power to be a real problem. The Brazilian is a tight-knit fighter with a high guard always keeping his hands up and staying with a very technical style. Bispo fights behind a textbook jab and throws with distinguished tight straight punches. The leg kick is a big weapon for Bispo. He puts everything into his hips when he fires them and when they connect you can tell he has a lot of power. You can really see the Chute Boxe style Bispo possesses. Billed as more of a striker, Bispo has some underrated wrestling. He has opponents worry so much about his abilities on the feet that when he shoots it catches them off guard. Bispo is nearly 100% when committing on takedowns. He fights Manoel Sousa (6-0).

 Armia Fight Night 10 | Poland | Friday

Featherweight, Mansur Azhiev (5-0)

5-0 as and pro and 5-0 as an amateur, this young man from Poland his a bright future. On the feet, Azhiev has a good jab, long punches, and solid kickboxing. Azhiev will kick the legs and go up top quite often. He excels more on the mat and his wrestling to get it there is pretty strong. Azhiev has glue-like grappling, controlling every movement. His ground and pound is his best weapon. He will unload with punches in any position and getting into the crucifix is something he’s liked to finish with in the past. He fights Adrian Kępa (8-5) for the promotions’ title.

Bellator 262 | US | Friday

Flyweight, Denise Kielholtz (6-2)

Denise Kielholtz is well-accomplished in other combat sports outside of MMA. She has a ton of experience in kickboxing (17-2) including winning the Bellator flyweight championship. Also, Denise has spent some time in Judo being a member of the 2008 Dutch Team Championships. Despite being well versed on the feet Kielholtz in her MMA career has three submission wins. She’s a good counter striker clipping her opponent coming in and finishing on the mat. Kielholtz has developed into an MMA fighter. She fights the champ, Juliana Velasquez (11-0) for the title.

Heavyweight, Tyrell Fortune (10-1)

Fortune has an accomplished background in wrestling, as an NCAA Division II champion, and a multi-time high school state champion. His stand-up is improving; he has some power, is pretty good in the clinch, and has a stunning straight right he throws. When Fortune does get the takedown, he’s shown he’s knowledgeable in the top position and possesses some very effective ground and pound, which is one of his best assets. He fights the well-known Matt Mitrione (13-8).

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Promotion officials announced via press release on Friday that Velasquez will take on Bellator kickboxing champ Denise Kielholtz at the event, which takes place July 16 at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT. The flyweight title fight will serve as the evening’s main event.

Velasquez (11-0) has stormed through the promotion’s 125lbs weight class, a run that took her right to previously undefeated champ Ilima-Lei Macfarlane last year. Velasquez went the distance with the Hawaiian, becoming the first fighter to get the better of “The Iliminator.”

The 24-year old Brazilian also holds wins over Bruna Ellen, Kristina Williams, and Alejandra Lara, among others.

Kielholtz (6-2), who holds gold in Bellator kickboxing, has been competing in the MMA side since 2015. Her career in mixed martial arts really kicked off two years later under the Bellator banner, and she has since posted a 6-1 record for the promotion. Currently riding a four-fight win streak with four finishes, Kielholtz will enter the title challenge off a knockout of Kate Jackson last October.

“I’m extremely excited and happy to get back in the BELLATOR cage and defend my title for the first time,” said Velasquez, quoted in Friday’s press release. “I’ve been training really hard, and I’m fully prepared to put on an incredible performance for my fans. Denise has been a great champion in the BELLATOR kickboxing ring, but this MMA belt is mine and it will be going back to Brazil with me after the fight.”

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