UNCASVILLE, Conn. – Despite emotions running high, Denise Kielholtz was all class in the wake of her loss to Juliana Velasquez in Friday’s Bellator 262 main event.
Kielholtz (6-3 MMA, 6-3 BMMA) could not have come closer to taking the women’s flyweight title from Velasquez (12-0 MMA, 7-0 BMMA) at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. She dropped a split decision, with scores of 48-47, 47-48, and 48-47.
With damage all over her face and tears in her eyes, Kielholtz attended the Bellator 262 post-fight news conference. Clearly heartbroken, she had a platform and opportunity to lash out at the judges. She didn’t, however, and instead took the high road.
“They always say don’t let it in the hands of the judges,” Kielholtz told MMA Junkie and other reporters. “I don’t blame anyone. I only blame myself that I didn’t do more and I know I can do more, so that’s just disappointing to myself. The judges, they do their work and I’m not in their eyes the champion tonight, but for sure I will be in the future.”
Kielholtz, a Bellator kickboxing champion, was only competing in her ninth MMA fight, yet managed to give the champion a run for her money. She thinks she “proved to everyone that I’m not just a kickboxer, I can also be an MMA champion,” but she didn’t get the nod at Bellator 262.
The result only drives Kielholtz to be better moving forward, she said. She intends to return to training in her native Holland as soon as she’s fit to do so, and she is already thinking about a second crack at the belt.
“It’s really disappointing, this feeling right now,” Kielholtz said. “It was a really close fight. I thought I was the one that came to fight and bring the fight. Unfortunately, the judges saw it just a small way to her. Split decision loss, that hurts. For now, it’s disappointment in myself, and I just go back to Holland, work harder and I think maybe a rematch in Amsterdam.”
Kielholtz said she would be open to taking on another contender such as Ilima-Lei Macfarlane or Liz Carmouche if the promotion decides against an immediate rematch.
She thinks she has a good case to run it back immediately, though. It was an entertaining and tactical affair for 25 minutes, and Kielholtz is confident a sequel might be even better.
“I think so. I think the next fight will be more fun. That’s for sure. Who knows? It all depends on Bellator.”
Watch Kielholtz’s full post-fight press conference above.
Denise Kielholtz won’t rip judges after Bellator 262 title-fight loss: ‘I only blame myself’
