Juliana Velasquez Bio
Juliana Velasquez Tonasse (born October 19, 1986) is a Brazilian professional mixed martial artist competing in the flyweight division of Bellator MMA, where she is the former Bellator Women’s Flyweight World Champion. Introduced to judo at a young age, she transitioned to professional mixed martial arts in 2014 after a successful amateur career in judo and has since become one of Brazil’s most accomplished female fighters. A southpaw with a 171 cm reach, Velasquez trains out of Team Nogueira in Rio de Janeiro and has compiled a professional record highlighted by the Bellator title run.
Early Life and Background
Juliana Velasquez Tonasse was born on October 19, 1986, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and continues to reside in her hometown. She was introduced to judo by her father at the age of four, beginning a long relationship with the grappling arts that would shape her athletic foundation. As a young carioca, she entered high-level judo competition at fifteen and went on to capture medals on the South American judo circuit over the following years.
After a decade of competing at a high level in judo, Velasquez attempted to qualify for the Brazilian Olympic Judo team but ultimately fell short of a place on the roster. The setback redirected her competitive path toward mixed martial arts. In 2013, before fully turning to MMA, she gained attention in Brazil through a Shooto Brazil promotion involving a staged storyline with male fighter Emerson Falcão, a campaign designed to raise awareness about violence against women.
Path to MMA
At the age of 28, Velasquez decided to leave judo behind and pursue a career in professional mixed martial arts. She made her amateur debut in 2014 and won by second-round submission, then quickly moved into the professional ranks with a decision victory at a Rio de Janeiro regional promotion. The early momentum carried her through five consecutive professional wins, including capturing the 1RC Vacant Bantamweight Championship and defending it once.
Her undefeated start attracted attention from major promotions, and she was offered a multi-fight contract with Bellator MMA. The deal marked her transition from the Brazilian regional scene to the international stage and set the stage for a run that would eventually deliver a world title.
Juliana Velasquez Career
Early Career (2014–2017)
Velasquez began her professional career in 2014, building a 5–0 record on the Brazilian regional circuit while also winning and defending the 1RC Vacant Bantamweight Championship. Those results established her as a prospect worth developing and gave Bellator a foundation to build on when she signed with the promotion.
She made her Bellator debut on December 1, 2017, at Bellator 189 against Na Liang, winning by second-round armbar. The submission win announced her arrival on the global stage and provided a clear sign that her judo base translated well to the cage.
Bellator Breakthrough (2017–2020)
Velasquez’s climb through Bellator’s flyweight division was steady and convincing. On April 13, 2018, at Bellator 197, she stopped Rebecca Ruth with a front kick to the body in the third round, adding another finish to her resume. She then outpointed Alejandra Lara by split decision at Bellator 212 in December 2018 and followed that with a second-round TKO of Kristina Williams at Bellator 224 in July 2019. Closing out the stretch, she earned a unanimous decision over Bruna Ellen at Bellator 236 in December 2019, positioning herself as the next challenger for the title.
The defining moment came on December 10, 2020, at Bellator 254, where she faced undefeated flyweight champion Ilima-Lei Macfarlane. Velasquez won the bout and the Bellator Women’s Flyweight World Championship via unanimous decision, capturing the world title in only her fifth appearance for the promotion. The win represented a career-defining moment and cemented her status among the top flyweights in the world.
Bellator Title Era (2021–2023)
Velasquez made her first title defense on July 16, 2021, at Bellator 262, edging Denise Kielholtz by split decision in a closely contested bout. The successful defense extended her unbeaten Bellator run and showed she could perform under championship-level pressure.
Her second title defense came on April 22, 2022, at Bellator 278, against Liz Carmouche. Velasquez lost the bout and the title via elbows from the crucifix position at the end of the fourth round. Her team appealed the result on the grounds of a refereeing error by Mike Beltran, but the Hawaii State Boxing Commission denied the appeal. In a rematch at Bellator 289 on December 9, 2022, Velasquez again fell short, this time via second-round armbar submission. A scheduled bout with Paula Cristina at Bellator 301 in November 2023 was scrapped the week of the event for unknown reasons.
Professional Fighters League Era (2024–Present)
Velasquez debuted with the Professional Fighters League on April 4, 2024, at PFL 1, dropping a unanimous decision to Liz Carmouche in her third consecutive loss against the same opponent. She returned to the win column at PFL 4 on June 13, 2024, defeating Lisa Mauldin by second-round TKO.
On February 18, 2025, the PFL officially announced that Velasquez had joined the 2025 PFL Women’s Flyweight Tournament. In the quarterfinal at PFL 2 on April 11, 2025, she faced Ekaterina Shakalova after Taila Santos withdrew, and she lost by rear-naked choke in round one. Velasquez then rematched Shakalova at PFL 9 on August 15, 2025, and evened the series with a unanimous decision victory.
Fighting Style and Strengths
Velasquez is a southpaw with a 171 cm reach, and her judo black belt forms the foundation of her grappling-heavy approach. She is comfortable pursuing submissions, as shown by her armbar finishes, and she has developed a sharp kicking game, demonstrated by her front-kick body stoppage of Rebecca Ruth. Her ability to grind out decisions, combined with finishing upside, has made her a difficult matchup across formats.
Notable Events and Milestones
The signature moment of Velasquez’s career remains her unanimous decision victory over Ilima-Lei Macfarlane at Bellator 254 to claim the Bellator Women’s Flyweight World Championship. She also built a streak of consecutive Bellator wins to start her tenure with the promotion and added a successful first title defense against Denise Kielholtz at Bellator 262.
Juliana Velasquez Career Wins
Across her professional career, Velasquez has compiled 14 wins against 4 losses, with finishes by knockout, submission, and decision. Her victories span regional Brazilian promotions, the Bellator flyweight division, and the Professional Fighters League, with the Bellator Women’s Flyweight World Championship standing as the centerpiece of her resume.
Bellator Highlights
Velasquez went unbeaten through her first five Bellator appearances, defeating Na Liang, Rebecca Ruth, Alejandra Lara, Kristina Williams, and Bruna Ellen before capturing the world title. Her first win in the promotion came via second-round armbar at Bellator 189, and her most recent Bellator victory came by split decision over Denise Kielholtz at Bellator 262. The world championship win over Ilima-Lei Macfarlane at Bellator 254 is the crown jewel of her Bellator tenure.
Other Wins and Performances
Before signing with Bellator, Velasquez won five consecutive professional fights on the Brazilian regional circuit and captured the 1RC Vacant Bantamweight Championship, defending it once. She added a second-round TKO of Lisa Mauldin at PFL 4 in 2024 and a unanimous decision over Ekaterina Shakalova at PFL 9 in 2025.
Juliana Velasquez Family
Family Background and Martial Arts Lineage
Velasquez’s father played the central role in her athletic upbringing, introducing her to judo at the age of four and guiding her early competitive path. The family connection to the sport helped establish the discipline that has defined her career. Details about her parents and siblings are not publicly confirmed.
Personal Life
Juliana Velasquez Tonasse resides in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, the city where she was born and continues to train. Publicly available information about her marital status, spouse, and children has not been confirmed.
2025 Season Performance
Velasquez entered the 2025 calendar year as a member of the PFL Women’s Flyweight Tournament, confirmed by the promotion on February 18, 2025. Her first tournament appearance came in the quarterfinal at PFL 2 on April 11, 2025, where she stepped in opposite Ekaterina Shakalova after Taila Santos withdrew and lost by rear-naked choke in the opening round.
She responded by winning the rematch with Shakalova at PFL 9 on August 15, 2025, by unanimous decision, evening her series with the Russian fighter and keeping her tournament run alive. The result demonstrated her ability to adjust and impose her game plan over five rounds.
Looking ahead, Velasquez will look to build on that momentum as the 2025 PFL Women’s Flyweight Tournament continues, drawing on her championship experience and her well-rounded skill set developed across Bellator and PFL competition.