Juliana Velasquez gains some revenge from women’s flyweight tournament with rematch decision win

Juliana Velasquez is a judo specialist, having practiced the discipline since she was 4 and picking up medals in South America. Velasquez is 13-4 in MMA and is the former Bellator Women’s Flyweight World Champion. Velasquez was a participant in this year’s Women’s Flyweight Tournament, but she lost to Ekaterina Shakalova in the First Round of the tournament.

Ekaterina Shakalova is a grappling specialist who is also a former regional bantamweight champion. Shakalova, who is 9-3 as a pro, entered the women’s flyweight tournament after going 1-1 in Bellator. While she defeated Velasquez in the first round, she lost to Jena Bishop in the Semifinals.

Will Velasquez get her revenge, or will lightning strike twice for Shakalova?

Round 1

The two slowly circle around the center. A small flurry flashed by Shakalova. Shakalova pressures forward, but Velasquez backs up and throws her jab out. Lots of feints from Velasquez. Shakalova flashes the right hand. One-two by Shakalova. Right hand by Shakalova. Velasquez lands a right hand in a combination. And another right hand connects. Shakalova lands a one-two to answer a left from Velasquez. Short left hand by Velasquez.

Shakalova tries for a takedown and then suddenly flashes a spinning backfist that narrowly misses. Jabs from both women. Another takedown attempt from Shakalova, but Velasquez sprawls. Left hand by Shakalova. Counter left hand by Velasquez. Right hand flashes for both. Shakalova with a combination. Left hand by Velasquez. Right hand by Velasquez. Right jab by Velasquez. Left hand by Shakalova. Shakalova comes forward again, but Velasquez connects to stop the momentum. Shakalova goes for one more takedown attempt before the round’s end.

Round 2

A left and a right from Shakalova to start. Another failed takedown attempt from Shakalova. She tries to press Velasquez into the fence, but Shakalova reverses. Right hand by Shakalova. Right hand by Shakalova again. Right hand by Velasquez. Left hands from both women. Velasquez with a right and backs out of the way of a one-two. Velasquez connects on a right hand. Shakalova with another takedown attempt, and Velasquez with another sprawl. Velasquez briefly has a front headlock with Shakalova against the fence. Shakalova throws some wild, power shots but doesn’t connect.

Right hands from both women. Jab by Shakalova. Right hands from both of them. Right hand by Velasquez. One-twos from both women before a body lock. Velasquez is more in control here. Front kick by Shakalova. Left hand by Velasquez. Right hand by Velasquez. Velasquez dodges the power of Shakalova. Right hand by Velasquez. One-two by Shakalova, but another takedown attempt is stuffed. Velasquez with a right hand. Shakalova throws a one-two. Strong switch knee by Velasquez! She adds a right hand to stop a blitz from Shakalova!

Gearing up for a HUGE 3rd Round! TUNE IN 🍿

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Round 3

The two trade jabs early. Right hand by Velasquez. Another right hand by Velasquez. Right hand by Shakalova. Low kick by Shakalova. Counter left by Velasquez. One-two by Shakalova doesn’t land. She goes for another takedown, but Velasquez stuffs it and threatens a guillotine! Shakalova quickly manages to escape and reverse the position. She threatens a head lock, but Velasquez rolls through and gets out of it. Velasquez back on top, but Shakalova quickly gets back to her feet. Body shot by Velasquez. Right straight for Velasquez. Jab by Velasquez. Shakalova flashes the left

Shakalova counters a Velasquez combination attempt with a takedown attempt. Velasquez counters and gets to the back standing, and she lands a strong left hand on separation. Right hook by Velasquez. Shakalova with a jab. Another jab by Shakalova. Left hand by Velasquez. Combination by Velasquez. Shakalova tries to pressure, but Velasquez locks up a tight guillotine attempt near the fence. Shakalova struggles but escapes. Left hand by Velasquez. Shakalova misses a spinning backfist. Shakalova misses with a kick. Velasquez with a lead hook. Velasquez misses her own spinning backfist before the horn.

OFFICIAL RESULT

Juliana Velasquez defeats Ekaterina Shakalova by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28x2) in a women’s flyweight showcase bout