Juliana Velasquez has her first Bellator title defense booked.
The new Bellator women’s flyweight champion will face top-tier kickboxer Denise Kielholtz at Bellator 262 on July 16 at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut, the promotion announced Friday.
The undefeated Velasquez beat Ilima-Lei Macfarlane to win the title this past December.
Bellator 262 will be open to a limited number of fans. Beginning with Bellator 260 on June 11, the promotion will allow spectators at Mohegan Sun with an attendance cap. Bellator 259 on Friday night, featuring Cris Cyborg‘s women’s featherweight title defense against Leslie Smith, will be the promotion’s final event behind closed doors due to COVID-19.
Velasquez (11-0) is ESPN’s No. 7-ranked women’s flyweight in the world. The Brazil native has won all six of her fights in Bellator, including three by finish. Velasquez, 34, has a background in judo.
Kielholtz (6-2) is the Bellator Kickboxing women’s flyweight champion. The Netherlands native has won four straight in MMA. Kielholtz, 32, is 6-1 under the Bellator MMA banner.