The PFL`s April 11 event in Orlando faced significant disruptions, with the main event needing to be changed twice. Juliana Velasquez was among the fighters impacted by these late opponent switches.
Originally scheduled to headline the show in the opening round of the 2025 PFL tournament against Taila Santos, the former Bellator flyweight champion`s fight was moved to the preliminary card after Katerina Shakalova replaced Santos.
Velasquez stated she learned of the opponent change immediately upon arriving in Orlando. “My initial reaction was, `I`m ready. The job was already done in camp,`” she commented. “I didn`t train with anyone as tall as Taila; I basically trained with short grapplers, so it won`t affect me as much. When a fighter is ready, she`s ready for whoever comes.”
She added, “It`s a short tournament and it`s fight after fight, so you can`t do specific training for just one fighter. There`s also anti-doping tests with USADA and possible injuries, so there`s always an alternate ready to step in. You have to be ready for anything. Anything can happen, including changing the opponent.”
Velasquez mentioned she had been monitoring Santos` social media and, despite seeing boxing footage, anticipated the former UFC title challenger would focus on takedowns. While prepared for any opponent, she acknowledged that defeating Santos would be a more significant addition to her record than a win over Shakalova.
“I think that would give me more credibility, but I can’t forget everything I’ve done,” Velasquez stated. “I’m a former champion. I don’t like fighting Brazilians, I’ve always said that. I never did, but Taila is a good name, a tough athlete, and it would have been nice to fight someone like her right off the bat in the tournament. 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.”
Regarding her upcoming fight against Shakalova, Velasquez mentioned she is prepared for three rounds but hopes to secure a quick finish. The winner is slated to advance to the semifinal to face the winner of the Jena Bishop vs. Kana Watanabe bout. The opposite side of the tournament bracket features quarterfinal matchups of Liz Carmouche vs. Ilara Joanne and Elora Dana vs. Diana Avsaragova.
“I believe [Carmouche] will win and advance in the tournament,” Velasquez stated, adding a caveat, “but she’s fighting a Brazilian, and it’s hard for me to say I’m rooting for her.” Velasquez holds a personal history with Carmouche, having lost to her three times consecutively between 2022 and 2024.
“I don’t root for anyone; I root for myself,” she concluded, “but I always prefer to see Brazilians winning when there’s a Brazilian involved. But I think we’ll still meet again one day.”
Murray Blackwood