Williams faces undefeated Velasquez at Bellator 224
A pivotal women's flyweight matchup has been added to the Bellator 224 card in Thackerville, Okla.
Kristina Williams will battle Juliana Velasquez on July 12, sources close to the promotion confirmed to theScore.
Williams (3-1) heads into the matchup coming off a unanimous-decision victory over Bruna Ellen at Bellator 210 in November. "Warhorse" is perhaps best known for handing boxing star Heather Hardy her first career MMA loss back at Bellator 185 in October 2017. Williams made her professional debut in that fight and stopped Hardy via TKO despite being the betting underdog. The 29-year-old has fought her entire professional career under the Bellator MMA banner after going 3-0 as an amateur.
Velasquez (8-0) is coming off a split-decision victory over former flyweight title challenger Alejandra Lara at Bellator 212 in December. The 32-year-old has won three straight fights, with wins coming against Na Liang, Rebecca Ruth, and Lara. The judoka standout signed with Bellator MMA in 2017 after amassing a 4-0 record, including a win over current UFC bantamweight Talita Bernardo.
It was rumored that Velasquez would be the next opponent for flyweight champion Ilima-Lei MacFarlane, who successfully defended her title by stopping Veta Artega at Bellator 220 in April.
Bellator 224 takes place at Winstar Casino in Thackerville, Okla., on July 12. No other matchups have been announced for the event.