The PFL`s event in Orlando on April 11, serving as the second card of the 2025 season, faced significant adjustments, including two changes to the main event. Among the athletes impacted by these last-minute opponent switches was former Bellator flyweight champion, Juliana Velasquez.
Initially, Velasquez was slated to headline the card against Taila Santos in the opening round of the 2025 PFL tournament. However, due to Santos` withdrawal, Velasquez`s fight was moved to the preliminary portion of the event, where she was scheduled to face Katerina Shakalova.
Speaking about the unexpected change, Velasquez stated, “I knew the moment I hopped off the plane in Orlando.” Her immediate reaction was one of readiness: “`I’m ready. The job was already done in camp.`” She mentioned her training wasn`t specifically focused on facing a tall fighter like Santos, having primarily worked with shorter grapplers, suggesting the opponent change wouldn`t require a drastic shift in her approach. Velasquez emphasized, “When a fighter is ready, she’s ready for whoever comes.”
Velasquez highlighted the inherent uncertainty in a tournament format. “It’s a short tournament and it’s a fight after another, so you can’t do specific training for one fighter.” She added that factors like anti-doping tests by USADA and potential injuries necessitate alternate fighters being prepared to step in. “You have to be ready for anything. Anything can happen, including changing the opponent,” she noted.
Despite observing Santos` social media posts, including boxing footage, Velasquez expected the former UFC title challenger to prioritize takedowns in their planned bout. While fully prepared to face Shakalova, Velasquez acknowledged that securing a victory over a well-known opponent like Santos would have provided a greater boost to her resume.
“I think that would give me more credibility, but I can’t forget everything I’ve done,” said Velasquez, referencing her status as a former champion. She admitted her general preference against competing with fellow Brazilians but recognized Santos as a “good name, a tough athlete,” and believed starting the tournament against someone of her caliber would have been advantageous. Regardless of the opponent, Velasquez maintained her focus: “But a fight is a fight, there’s no other way around it. I don’t underestimate any athlete because any moment of distraction can be fatal.”
Looking ahead to her fight against Shakalova, Velasquez is prepared for a full three rounds but expressed her goal of securing a quick finish. Assuming the lineup holds, the winner of this quarterfinal match will advance to the semifinals to face the winner of the bout between Jena Bishop and Kana Watanabe. The other side of the bracket features quarterfinal pairings of Liz Carmouche vs. Ilara Joanne and Elora Dana vs. Diana Avsaragova.
Discussing potential future matchups, Velasquez commented on Liz Carmouche, a fighter she has lost to three times between 2022 and 2024. Velasquez stated, “I believe [Carmouche] will win and advance in the tournament,” but admitted her history with Carmouche makes it difficult for her to openly support her opponent`s progress.
“I don’t root for anyone, I root for myself,” Velasquez clarified, while noting her general preference for Brazilian fighters to succeed in other matchups. She concluded by expressing her expectation that she and Carmouche are likely to “still meet again one day” in the cage.
Percy Harlow