# Juliana Velasquez

Juliana Velasquez Tonasse (born October 19, 1986) is a Brazilian professional mixed martial artist currently competing in the flyweight division of Bellator MMA, where she is the former Bellator Women's Flyweight World Champion.

## Background

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.
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.

## Mixed martial arts career
### Early career

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.

### Bellator MMA

Juliana made her Bellator debut against Na Liang at Bellator 189 on December 1, 2017. She won the fight via second round armbar.
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.
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.
Juliana faced Kristina Williams at Bellator 224 on July 12, 2019. She won the fight via TKO in the second round.
Juliana faced Bruna Ellen at Bellator 236 on December 21, 2019. She won the fight via unanimous decision.

#### Bellator Women's Flyweight World Champion

Juliana faced undefeated flyweight champ, Ilima-Lei Macfarlane, on December 10, 2020 at Bellator 254. She won the fight and the Bellator Women's Flyweight World Championship via unanimous decision.
Juliana made her first title defense against Denise Kielholtz on July 16, 2021 at Bellator 262. She won the bout by split decision.
Velasquez attempted to defend her title against Liz Carmouche on April 22, 2022 at Bellator 278. She lost the bout and the title via elbows from crucifix at the end of the fourth round. 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.
In a title rematch, Velasquez faced Liz Carmouche again on December 9, 2022 at Bellator 289. She lost the fight via an armbar submission in the second round.
Velasquez was scheduled to face Paula Cristina on November 17, 2023 at Bellator 301. The week of the event, the bout was scrapped for unknown reasons.

### Professional Fighters League

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.
Velasquez faced Lisa Mauldin at PFL 4 on June 13, 2024. She won the fight via TKO in the second round.
On February 18, 2025, the promotion officially revealed that Velasquez will join the 2025 PFL Women's Flyweight Tournament.

## Championships and accomplishments
### Mixed martial arts

* Bellator MMA
** Bellator Women's Flyweight World Championship (One time)
*** One successful title defense
* 1º Round Combat
** 1RC Bantamweight Championship (One time)
*** One successful title defense

## Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown :
| 16 matches | 13 wins | 3 losses |
| By knockout | 5 | 1 |
| By submission | 1 | 1 |
| By decision | 7 | 1 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
| Win | 13–3 | Lisa Mauldin | TKO (punches) | PFL 4 (2024) | June 13, 2024 | 2 | 1:30 | Uncasville, Connecticut, United States | |
| Loss | 12–3 | Liz Carmouche | Decision (unanimous) | PFL 1 (2024) | April 4, 2024 | 3 | 5:00 | San Antonio, Texas, United States | |
| Loss | 12–2 | Liz Carmouche | Submission (armbar) | Bellator 289 | December 9, 2022 | 2 | 4:24 | Uncasville, Connecticut, United States | For the Bellator Women's Flyweight World Championship. |
| Loss | 12–1 | Liz Carmouche | TKO (elbows) | Bellator 278 | April 22, 2022 | 4 | 4:47 | Honolulu, Hawaii, United States | Lost the Bellator Women's Flyweight World Championship. |
| Win | 12–0 | Denise Kielholtz | Decision (split) | Bellator 262 | July 16, 2021 | 5 | 5:00 | Uncasville, Connecticut, United States | Defended the Bellator Women's Flyweight World Championship. |
| Win | 11–0 | Ilima-Lei Macfarlane | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 254 | December 10, 2020 | 5 | 5:00 | Uncasville, Connecticut, United States | Won the Bellator Women's Flyweight World Championship. |
| Win | 10–0 | Bruna Ellen | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 236 | December 21, 2019 | 3 | 5:00 | Honolulu, Hawaii, United States | |
| Win | 9–0 | Kristina Williams | TKO (punches) | Bellator 224 | July 12, 2019 | 2 | 4:03 | Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States | |
| Win | 8–0 | Alejandra Lara | Decision (split) | Bellator 212 | December 14, 2018 | 3 | 5:00 | Honolulu, Hawaii, United States | |
| Win | 7–0 | Rebecca Ruth | KO (body kick) | Bellator 197 | April 13, 2018 | 3 | 0:19 | St. Charles, Missouri, United States | |
| Win | 6–0 | Na Liang | Submission (armbar) | Bellator 189 | December 1, 2017 | 2 | 0:32 | Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States | Flyweight debut. |
| Win | 5–0 | Taynna Taygma | Decision (unanimous) | IKombat 1 | November 12, 2016 | 3 | 5:00 | Guarulhos, Brazil | |
| Win | 4–0 | Elaine Albuquerque | KO (punches) | 1° Round Combat 2 | May 6, 2016 | 1 | 3:55 | Natal, Brazil | Defended 1RC Vacant Bantamweight Championship. |
| Win | 3–0 | Rosy Duarte | TKO (doctor stoppage) | 1° Round Combat | December 6, 2015 | 5 | 4:07 | Fortaleza, Brazil | Won the inaugural 1RC Vacant Bantamweight Championship. |
| Win | 2–0 | Talita Bernardo | Decision (unanimous) | Face to Face 11 | April 24, 2015 | 3 | 5:00 | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | |
| Win | 1–0 | Priscila de Souza | Decision (unanimous) | Team Nogueira MMA Fight Live 4 | December 4, 2014 | 3 | 5:00 | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | Bantamweight debut. |
| Amateur record breakdown | Amateur record breakdown | |
| 1 match | 1 win | 0 losses |
| By knockout | 0 | 0 |
| By submission | 1 | 0 |
| By decision | 0 | 0 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
| Win | 1–0 | Lucelia Souza | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Talent Draft 1: São Paulo | March 7, 2014 | 2 | 1:57 | São Paulo, Brazil | |