Juliana Velasquez: PFL ‘growing a lot’, can go head-to-head with UFC after Bellator acquisition

Former Bellator flyweight champion Juliana Velasquez believes the Skilled Fighters League has taken the precise step in buying Bellator to battle the UFC for the highest cease within the MMA sphere.

Velasquez mentioned on MMA Preventing’s Trocação Franca podcast that the longer term is vivid for each PFL and Bellator fighters after the previous announced its acquisition of the latter in November. PFL will proceed with its conventional season format in 2024, with Bellator operating as a world circuit.

“PFL is rising so much,” Velasquez mentioned. “These fights they’re doing, Francis Ngannou in boxing and these YouTubers, Jake Paul… I believe that combining their athletes to Bellator’s will give fighters extra title and extra alternative to point out their worth.

“I actually suppose PFL can go head-to-head with the UFC. It already does, I believe. It’s going to be fairly even within the eyes of the general public. I believe it’s going to be tremendous cool.”

PFL at present doesn’t have flyweights as a part of their common season – solely within the PFL Europe circuit. The PFL Europe flyweight champion in 2023 was Dakota Ditcheva, who defeated Malin Hermansson and Cornelia Holm this calendar 12 months.

Velasquez, ranked No. 12 on the MMA Fighting Global Rankings, is the one Bellator fighter listed within the prime 15 outdoors of Liz Carmouche (No. 6), who beat her twice in 2022 for the Bellator title. Taila Santos (No. 4) and Jennifer Maia (No. 13), who not too long ago parted methods with the UFC, be part of them as the one non-UFC expertise within the prime 15.

“Possibly they don’t have as many women now, however combining Bellator and PFL Europe, perhaps now they’ll open this weight class,” Velasquez mentioned. “I can combat one other Bellator fighter within the PFL, it doesn’t essentially must be below the Bellator [banner]. Let’s wait and see what occurs. Possibly they’ll do a flyweight season now and put up fairly a pleasant occasion, proper?”

Velasquez was anticipated to face Paula Cristina within the closing Bellator card of 2023, however she withdrew last-minute as a result of an an infection. She is now cleared to renew mild coaching, she mentioned, and will combat late within the first quarter of 2024. Her girlfriend Milla Linhares will give delivery to their first daughter Rafaela in December.

“I’ll be able to combat whoever they placed on my method,” Velasquez mentioned. “I’ve by no means been a part of a event in MMA, so I might like to see what it seems like, and win such event like thrones I competed in judo. It will be very attention-grabbing.”