Prior to entering this PFL season, Juliana Velasquez signed with Bellator in 2017, going on to build up a 7-2 record in that promotion. Her only losses coming in title fights against Liz Carmouche, Velasquez defeated Ilima-Lei Macfarlane at Bellator 254 to capture the Bellator women’s flyweight championship. Velasquez retained the title against Denise Kielholtz in a close split decision at Bellator 262 before her losses to Carmouche. Velasquez lost to Carmouche again when the PFL women’s flyweight season opened in April.

 

Training in combat sports from a young age, Lisa Mauldin’s kickboxing speciality comes from her love of Muay Thai – though her jiu-jitsu experience leaves her dangerous on the ground as well. Mauldin impressed in her first two appearances in the PFL, scoring a finish of Helen Peralta during the 2023 Challenger Series before a first-round submission of Desiree Yanez in an August Showcase bout. Mauldin was unsuccessful in April, getting finished by Dakota Ditcheva.

 

Not only will the loser of this fight be eliminated, but both women can be knocked out of postseason contention if neither scores a finish in this one. Will one of these women be able to put their opponent away before the final bell?

 

 

Round 1

 

Mauldin flashes the left hand as the two circle. Inside low kick thrown by Mauldin. Another leg kick misses. Front kick misses for Mauldin. Round kick misses for Mauldin now. Velasquez lands a punch upstairs. One-two from Velasquez. Another front kick missed for Mauldin. Body kick lands for Mauldin. Left hand by Velasquez. Mauldin catches a kick and brings Velasquez over to the fence. Mauldin lands a knee in the clinch. Velasquez reverses the position and the two battle for control.

 

 

Velasquez rocks Mauldin with a combination, and Mauldin goes down. Velasquez does some work before Mauldin finally closes the guard. Velasquez firing off the right hand. Big left hand from Velasquez before she stands up. Mauldin’s nose busted up by that shot. Leg kicks by Velasquez to the grounded Mauldin. Mauldin goes back to her feet. A big combination by Velasquez, who then pushes Maudlin to the fence. Velasquez continuing to chase. Mauldin has a mousse under her right eye. Takedown defense displayed by Velasquez, who then lands a left hand. Body shots by Velasquez. Right hand and a round kick by Velasquez. A body shot with the left hand by Velasquez drops Mauldin to her knees, but the bell sounds! Mauldin was saved there!

 

 

 

Round 2

 

Front kick missed by Mauldin. High kick by Mauldin missed. Low kick by Mauldin. Combination by Velasquez damages Mauldin again, and she tries to unsuccessfully bring Velasquez down. Left hand by Velasquez. Mauldin chases this takedown, but it opens her up to strikes to the head from Velasquez. Velasquez gets on top of Mauldin and throws some ground-and-pound, and this one is done!

 

 

Juliana Velasquez stays alive in the chase for the playoffs with five points!

 

 

OFFICIAL RESULT

 

Juliana Velasquez defeats Lisa Mauldin by 2nd round TKO (1:30) in the PFL Women’s Flyweight Division.

  • Velasquez is still alive in the playoff race, but needs among other things for Carmouche-Watanabe to end in a draw.
  • Mauldin is eliminated. That result also eliminates Shanna Young.
  • Velasquez moves her career record to 13-3 with her 5th career knockout