Bellator 262: Velasquez vs. Kielholtz is a mixed martial arts event produced by the Bellator MMA that is expected to take place on July 16, 2021 at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut, United States.
Fight Card
Main Card (Showtime)
Women's Flyweight Juliana Velasquez (c) vs. Denise Kielholtz Women's Flyweight Championship
Heavyweight Tyrell Fortune vs. Matt Mitrione
Heavyweight Linton Vassell vs. Marcelo Golm
Women's Featherweight Arlene Blencowe vs. Dayana Silva
Middleweight Johnny Eblen vs. Travis Davis
Preliminary Card
Bantamweight Matheus Mattos vs. Cee Jay Hamilton
Heavyweight Ronny Markes vs. Said Sowma
Featherweight Cody Law vs. Theodore Macuka
Welterweight Roman Faraldo vs. John Ramirez
Women's Flyweight Diana Avsaragova vs. Gabriella Gulfin
Featherweight Johnny Soto vs. Adil Benjilany
Lightweight Charlie Campbell vs. Nick Giulietti
Background
Undefeated Juliana Velasquez will make her first title defense of the Bellator MMA Women's Flyweight World Championship against top-tier kickboxer Denise Kielholtz. The Brazil native has won all six of her fights in Bellator, including three by finish. Velasquez, 34, has a background in judo. Ranked #4 Kielholtz (6-2) is the Bellator Kickboxing Women's Flyweight Championship and has won four straight in MMA. She is 6-1 under the Bellator MMA banner.
Two heavyweight bouts were announced for the main card: the #5 ranked Tyrell Fortune is expected to fight the #7 ranked Matt Mitrione, while the #4 ranked Linton Vassell is expected to meet the promotional newcomer Marcelo Golm.
Two-time Bellator Bellator Women's Featherweight title challenger Arlene Blencowe is expected to meet Dayana Silva on the main card.
A heavyweight bout between Ronny Markes and Said Sowma was announced for the preliminary portion of the event.