Juliana Velasquez

Juliana Velasquez's father introduced her to the judo mats when she was only four years old. The young carioca entered high-level competition 11 years later, capturing a few medals in the South American judo circuit. After failing to win a spot on the Brazilian Olympic Judo team, at the age of 28, she decided to try her luck in the mixed martial arts world.^[2]

In 2013, she gained attention in Brazil for her part played in a polemic story about a fight between herself and male fighter Emerson Falcão, promoted by Shooto Brazil. After receiving a ton of criticism from the combat sports community for the promotion of a fight between a man and a woman, the promotion revealed the real reason for the event was to raise awareness and bring attention to a campaign about violence against women and that the bout wasn't actually going to take place.^[3]

Making her debut in 2014, Velasquez won her amateur debut via second-round submission, later that year, kicking off her professional career with a decision victory in a Rio de Janeiro regional promotion. She won her next 4 fights, collecting a 5–0 record, in the process also winning the 1RC Vacant Bantamweight Championship and defending it once. She was eventually offered a multi fight contract with Bellator MMA.^[3]

Juliana made her Bellator debut against Na Liang at Bellator 189 on December 1, 2017. She won the fight via second round armbar.^[4]

Juliana faced Rebecca Ruth at Bellator 197 on April 13, 2018. She won the fight via front kick to the body in the third round.^[5]

In her third fight for the promotion, Velasquez faced Alejandra Lara at Bellator 212 on December 14, 2018. She won the fight via split decision.^[6]

Juliana faced Kristina Williams at Bellator 224 on July 12, 2019. She won the fight via TKO in the second round.^[7]

Juliana faced Bruna Ellen at Bellator 236 on December 21, 2019. She won the fight via unanimous decision.^[8]

Juliana faced undefeated flyweight champ, Ilima-Lei Macfarlane, on December 10, 2020 at Bellator 254.^[9] She won the fight and the Bellator Women's Flyweight World Championship via unanimous decision.^[10]

Juliana made her first title defense against Denise Kielholtz on July 16, 2021 at Bellator 262.^[11] She won the bout by split decision.^[12]

Velasquez attempted to defend her title against Liz Carmouche on April 22, 2022 at Bellator 278.^[13] She lost the bout and the title via elbows from crucifix at the end of the fourth round.^[14] Following the bout, Velasquez's team appealed the result on the grounds of refereeing error made by Mike Beltran, but the appeal was denied by the Hawaii State Boxing Commission.^[15]

In a title rematch, Velasquez faced Liz Carmouche again on December 9, 2022 at Bellator 289.^[16] She lost the fight via an armbar submission in the second round.^[17]

Velasquez was scheduled to face Paula Cristina on November 17, 2023 at Bellator 301.^[18] The week of the event, the bout was scrapped for unknown reasons.^[19]

Velasquez debuted with the Professional Fighters League (PFL) at PFL 1 on April 4, 2024 and lost the bout by unanimous decision to Liz Carmouche in a third consecutive loss against her.^[20]

Velasquez faced Lisa Mauldin at PFL 4 on June 13, 2024. She won the fight via TKO in the second round.^[21]

• Bellator MMA
  • Bellator Women's Flyweight World Championship (One time) ^[10]
    • One successful title defense
• 1º Round Combat
  • 1RC Bantamweight Championship (One time)
    • One successful title defense

^[22]

• List of current Bellator fighters
• List of current mixed martial arts champions
• List of Bellator MMA champions
• List of female mixed martial artists

• Juliana Velasquez at Bellator
• Professional MMA record for Juliana Velasquez from Sherdog