A few Bellator MMA fighters may have needed the full additional hour, but every competitor for this Friday’s card made weight.
Velasquez (11-0) comes into this battle with a flawless record, seven months removed from wresting the title from Ilima-Lei Macfarlane in December. The Brazilian champ has stormed her way through the Bellator cage, rattling off six wins since her organizational debut in 2017 over names like Na Liang, Alejandra Lara and Kristina Williams on her way up. Against her will be a kickboxing standout in Kielholtz (6-2), who finds herself on a four-fight finish streak over the likes of Kate Jackson and Williams. The Dutchwoman posts an MMA stoppage rate of 83 percent, and she celebrates a kickboxing record of 47-3 as well. The champion Velasquez weighed in at 125 pounds on the button, while Kielholtz came in lighter at 124 pounds.
The co-main event sees powerful wrestler Tyrell Fortune (233.5) take on fan-favorite Matt Mitrione (261) in a heavyweight contest that should cement the victor’s place among the top five of the division. Before then, Matheus Mattos (135.75) looks to bounce back from the first decision loss of his career against ex-flyweight C.J. Hamilton (135.5) at bantamweight. In the women’s featherweight division, perennial contender Arlene Blencowe (146) throws down with Brazil’s Dayana Silva (146), while the main card commences with a middleweight clash pitting unbeaten prospect Johnny Eblen (186) against the submission-minded Travis Davis (186).
The Bellator 262 prelims will stream on the Bellator YouTube channel and Pluto TV at 6:30 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. PT. The five-fight main card commences at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT only on Showtime.
Bellator 262 Weigh-in Results:
Juliana Velasquez (125) vs. Denise Kielholtz (124)Tyrell Fortune (233.5) vs. Matt Mitrione (261)
Matheus Mattos (135.75) vs. C.J. Hamilton (135.5)
Arlene Blencowe (146) vs. Dayana Silva (146)
Johnny Eblen (186) vs. Travis Davis (186)
Ronny Markes (252) vs. Said Sowma (245)
Cody Law (145.75) vs. Theodore Macuka (146)
Diana Avsaragova (126) vs. Gabriella Gulfin (124.75)
Johnny Soto (145.75) vs. Adil Benjilany (145.75)
Charlie Campbell (155) vs. Nick Giulietti (156)