Aline Pereira defends Karate Combat flyweight title against former Bellator champion Velasquez

Aline Pereira will defend her Karate Combat flyweight title against former Bellator champion Juliana Velasquez on July 24 in Miami, the promotion confirmed. The bout marks Pereira’s return to Karate Combat after a spell in MMA, where she went back-to-back with wins to improve her record to 3-2, most recently earning a decision over Jade Masson-Wong on the undercard of Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano.

Pereira has been flawless under Karate Combat rules. She stopped Dee Begley and Amanda Torres by left hook knockout before claiming the vacant flyweight belt with a decision over Fani Peloumpi in July 2025, leaving her undefeated in the format.

Velasquez arrives with serious credentials. The Brazilian compiled a 14-4 MMA career that included Bellator title victories over Ilima-Lei Macfarlane and Denise Kielholtz, as well as wins against Alejandra Lara and future UFC fighter Liang Na. After Bellator was acquired by PFL, Velasquez went 2-2 under the new banner, closing out her run with a decision win over Ekaterina Shakalova.

The flyweight title fight sits on a card — Karate Combat 62 — that is headlined by a light heavyweight championship clash between defending champion and UFC veteran Sam Alvey and fellow UFC alumnus Uriah Hall. In the co-main event, welterweight champion Oussama Assli puts his belt on the line against Lucas Martins.