Denise Kielholtz Explained

Denise Kielholtz
Birth Name:Denise Kielholtz
Other Names:Miss Dynamite
Birth Date:30 March 1989
Birth Place:Amsterdam, Netherlands
Fighting Out Of:Almere-Buiten, Flevoland, Netherlands
Weight:58.06kg (128lb)
Weight Class:Flyweight
Style:Kickboxing, Judo, Boxing
Rank:Black Belt in Judo
Team:Team Schreiber (MMA)[1]
Kickbox Win:48
Kickbox Loss:3
Mma Kowin:2
Mma Subwin:3
Mma Decwin:3
Mma Subloss:3
Mma Decloss:2
Spouse:Hesdy Gerges
Sherdog:211003

Denise Kielholtz (born 30 March 1989) is a Dutch female Muay Thai kickboxer and mixed martial artist, based in Amsterdam, Netherlands. She has competed professionally since 2004 and is the current Bellator Kickboxing Women's Flyweight Champion.

Mixed martial arts career

Kielholtz made her professional MMA debut at Torarica Summer Fights 1 in October, 2015. She lost the fight via submission.

Bellator MMA

Kielholtz signed with Bellator in 2016, appearing in the promotion's inaugural kickboxing card, Bellator Kickboxing 1 in Torino, Italy on April 16, 2016.[2] She would go 4–1 in kickboxing for the promotion, winning the Flyweight Championship along the way.

Kielholtz then made her Bellator MMA debut at Bellator 188 against Jessica Middleton. She won the fight via submission.[3]

Kielholtz was expected to face Lena Ovchynnikova in the co-main event of Bellator 196 in Budapest, Hungary on April 6, 2018.[4] However, Ovchynnikova pulled out of the fight and was replaced by Petra Částková. Kielholtz won the fight by unanimous decision.

Kielholtz faced Veta Arteaga on September 21, 2018 at Bellator 205.[5] She lost the fight via a submission.[6]

Kielholtz faced Bryony Tyrell at Bellator 223 on June 22, 2019.[7] She won the fight via TKO in the third round.

Kielholtz faced Sabriye Şengül at Bellator London 2 on November 23, 2019.[8] She won the fight via an Americana submission in the first round.

Kielholtz faced Kristina Williams at Bellator 239 on February 21, 2020.[9] She won the fight via a rear-naked choke submission in the first round.

Kielholtz faced former Bellator Women's Flyweight title challenger Kate Jackson at Bellator 247 on October 1, 2020. She won the bout via knockout just 43 seconds into the first round. Subsequently, she signed a new contract with the Bellator MMA.[10]

Kielholtz fought for the Bellator Women's Flyweight World Championship against champion Juliana Velasquez on July 16, 2021 at Bellator 262.[11] She lost the bout in a razor thin split decision.[12]

Kielholtz faced Kana Watanabe on May 13, 2022 at Bellator 281.[13] She lost the fight via a triangle choke submission in the second round.[14]

Kielholtz faced Ilara Joanne on December 9, 2022, at Bellator 289.[15] She lost the fight via split decision.[16] [17]

Kielholtz faced Paula Cristina on May 12, 2023 at Bellator 296.[18] She won the fight by unanimous decision.[19] [20]

Kielholtz faced Sumiko Inaba on November 17, 2023 at Bellator 301.[21] In a bout contested mostly on the feet, Kielholtz maintained the advantage and won the bout via unanimous decision.[22]

Kielholtz was scheduled to face Taila Santos on April 4, 2024 at PFL 1.[23] However, a week before the event it was announced that Kielholtz had pulled out.[24]

Personal life

Kielholtz was born in Amsterdam to a Dutch father and a Curaçaoan mother.[25] She is married to kickboxer Hesdy Gerges.[26]

Championships and awards

Kickboxing

Judo

Boxing

Mixed martial arts record

|-|Win|align=center|8–5|Sumiko Inaba|Decision (unanimous)|Bellator 301||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Chicago, Illinois, United States||-|Win|align=center|7–5|Paula Cristina|Decision (unanimous)|Bellator 296||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Paris, France||-|Loss|align=center|6–5|Ilara Joanne|Decision (split)|Bellator 289||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Uncasville, Connecticut, United States||-|Loss|align=center|6–4|Kana Watanabe|Submission (triangle choke)|Bellator 281 ||align=center|2|align=center|3:03|London, England||-|Loss|align=center|6–3|Juliana Velasquez|Decision (split)|Bellator 262||align=center|5|align=center|5:00|Uncasville, Connecticut, United States||-|Win|align=center|6–2|Kate Jackson|KO (punches)|Bellator 247||align=center|1|align=center|0:43|Milan, Italy ||-|Win|align=center|5–2|Kristina Williams|Submission (rear-naked choke)|Bellator 239||align=center|1|align=center|2:15|Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States||-|Win|align=center|4–2|Sabriye Şengül|Submission (americana)|Bellator London 2||align=center|1|align=center|0:32|London, England||-|Win|align=center|3–2|Bryony Tyrell|TKO (punches)|Bellator 223||align=center|3|align=center|2:48|London, England||-|Loss|align=center|2–2|Veta Arteaga|Submission (guillotine choke)|Bellator 205||align=center|2|align=center|4:24|Boise, Idaho, United States||-|Win|align=center|2–1|Petra Částková|Decision (unanimous)|Bellator 196||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Budapest, Hungary||-| Win| align=center| 1–1| Jessica Middleton| Submission (scarfhold armbar)| Bellator 188| | align=center| 1| align=center| 1:16| Tel Aviv, Israel| |-|Loss|style="text-align:center;"|0–1|Juliete de Souza Silva|Submission (armbar)|Torarica Summer Fights 1||style="text-align:center;"|1|style="text-align:center;"|N/A|Paramaribo, Suriname | |-

Kickboxing record

|- style="background:#cfc;"| 2022-10-29 || Win ||align=left| Laura Pileri || HIT IT || Rotterdam, Netherlands || Decision (unanimous) || 3 || 3:00 || 19–2|-|- style="background:#cfc;"| 2017-04-08 || Win ||align=left| Martine Michieletto || Bellator Kickboxing 5 || Torino, Italy || Decision (unanimous) || 5 || 3:00 || 18–2|-! style=background:white colspan=9 ||- style="background:#cfc;"| 2016-12-10 || Win ||align=left| Gloria Peritore || Bellator Kickboxing 4[28] || Florence, Italy || Decision (split) || 5 || 3:00 || 17–2|-! style=background:white colspan=9 ||- style="background:#cfc;"| 2016-09-17 || Win ||align=left| Renata Lantos || Bellator Kickboxing 3 || Budapest, Hungary || Decision (unanimous) || 3 || 3:00 || 16–2|- style="background:#fbb;"| 2016-06-24 || Loss ||align=left| Gloria Peritore || Bellator Kickboxing 2 || St. Louis, Missouri, United States || Decision (split) || 3 || 3:00 || 15–2|- style="background:#cfc;"| 2016-04-16 || Win ||align=left| Veronica Vernocchi || Bellator Kickboxing 1 || Torino, Italy || Decision (split) || 3 || 3:00 || 15–1|- style="background:#cfc;"| 2014-11-23 || Win ||align=left| Tiffany van Soest || Enfusion Live 22 || Groningen, Netherlands || Decision (unanimous) || 5 || 3:00 || 14–1|-! style=background:white colspan=9 |[29] |- style="background:#cfc;"| 2014-04-26 || Win ||align=left| Lucia Krajčovič || Enfusion Live 17 || Žilina, Slovakia || Decision (Unanimous) || 3 || 3:00 || 13–1|- style="background:#cfc;"| 2014-04-26 || Win ||align=left| Ilona Wijmans || Enfusion Live 12 || Alkmaar, Netherlands || Decision (Overturned) || 5 ||3:00 || 12–1|-! style=background:white colspan=9 ||- style="background:#cfc;"| 2013-09-17 || Win||align=left| Vicky Church || Enfusion 4: Search for the SuperPro, Finals || Koh Samui, Thailand || Decision (Unanimous) || 3 || 3:00 || 11–1|-! style=background:white colspan=9 |[30] |- style="background:#cfc;"| 2013-09-17 || Win||align=left| Manal Salman || Enfusion 4: Search for the SuperPro, Semi Finals || Koh Samui, Thailand || Decision (Unanimous) || 3 || 3:00 || 10–1|- style="background:#cfc;"| 2013-06-29 || Win ||align=left| Christi Brereton || Enfusion Live 6 || London, England || Decision (Unanimous) || 3 ||3:00 || 9–1|- style="background:#cfc;"| 2013-04-13 || Win ||align=left| Alena Hola || || Noordwijkerhout, Netherlands || Decision || || || 8–1 |-! style=background:white colspan=9 | |- style="background:#cfc;"| 2013-02-18 || Win ||align=left| Christina Morales || || The Hague, Netherlands || Decision || 5 || 2:00 || 7–1|-! style=background:white colspan=9 | [31] |- style="background:#cfc;"| 2012-12-02 || Win ||align=left| Lucy Payne || Enfusion 3: Trial of the Gladiators, Final || Ljubljana, Slovenia || Decision || 3 || 3:00 || 6–1|-! style=background:white colspan=9 ||- style="background:#cfc;"| 2012-12-02 || Win ||align=left| Lindsay Scheer || Enfusion 3: Trial of the Gladiators, Semi Finals || Ljubljana, Slovenia || Decision || 3 || 3:00 || 5–1|- style="background:#cfc;"| 2012-05-27 || Win ||align=left| Kateřina Svobodová || Slamm 7: Holland vs Thailand || || Decision || 3 || 3:00 || 4–1|- style="background:#cfc;"| 2011-12-28 || Win ||align=left| || Slamm!! Soema Na Basi II || Paramaribo, Suriname || Decision (unanimous) || || 3:00 || 3–1|-! style=background:white colspan=9 |[32] |- style="background:#cfc;"| 2011-04-10 || Win ||align=left| Sindy Huyer || Almere's Finest || Almere, Netherlands || Decision || 3 || 3:00 || 2–1|- style="background:#cfc;"| 2010-08-29 || Win ||align=left| Lindsay Scheer || Slamm Fighting with the Stars - B- Class || Suriname || Decision || 3 || 3:00 || 1–1|- style="background:#fbb;"| 2009-11-29 || Loss ||align=left| Lindsay Scheer || Slamm Holland vs. Thailand || || Decision || 3 || 3:00 || 0–1|-| colspan=9 | Legend:

Notes and References

  1. Web site: To evolve in MMA, Denise Kielholtz had to 'let go' of kickboxing. Alexander K. Lee. mmafighting.com. February 21, 2020.
  2. News: Shaun. Al-Shatti. Bellator announces the launch of Bellator Kickboxing. MMA Fighting. 2016-02-18. 2018-02-10.
  3. News: Jay. Anderson. Bellator 188 Results: Kickboxing Champ Denise Kielholtz Quickly Submits Jessica Middleton. Cageside Press. 2017-11-17. 2018-02-10.
  4. News: Jay. Anderson. Bellator 196 Co-Main Event Set: Lena Ovchynnikova vs. Denise Kielholtz. Cageside Press. 2018-02-09. 2018-02-10.
  5. News: Denise Kielholtz vs. Veta Arteaga Set ⋆ MMA TakeOver. 2018-07-30. MMA TakeOver. 2018-09-22. en-US. 2019-01-22. https://web.archive.org/web/20190122195528/http://themmatakeover.com/denise-kielholtz-vs-veta-arteaga-set/. dead.
  6. News: Bellator 205 results: Hometown hero Veta Arteaga taps out kickboxing champ Denise Kielholtz. 2018-09-22. MMAjunkie. 2018-09-22. en-US.
  7. Web site: Charlie Ward vs. Justin Moore among additions and changes to Bellator London lineup. May 30, 2019. mmajunkie.com.
  8. Web site: Denise Kielholtz vs. Sabriye Sengul announced for Bellator London. Alexander K. Lee. October 7, 2019. mmafighting.com.
  9. Web site: Bellator 239 adds Tyrell Fortune vs. Timothy Johnson, Denise Kielholtz vs. Kristina Williams. January 15, 2020. mmajunkie.com. Nolan King.
  10. Web site: Bellator re-signs three standouts, adds two newcomers to roster. Nolan King. December 2, 2020. MMAjunkie.com.
  11. Web site: 2021-05-21. Velasquez to defend Bellator title vs. Kielholtz. 2021-05-21. ESPN.com. en.
  12. Web site: Anderson. Jay. 2021-07-16. Bellator 262 Results: Juliana Velasquez Retains in Razor-Thin Split Decision. 2021-07-17. Cageside Press. en-US.
  13. Web site: Youngs. Jose. 2022-01-25. Denise Kielholtz vs. Kana Watanabe, Daniel Weichel vs. Robert Whiteford set for Bellator London. 2022-01-26. MMA Fighting. en.
  14. Web site: Anderson . Jay . 2022-05-13 . Bellator 281: Kana Watanabe Survives Illegal Kick, Submits Denise Kielholtz . 2022-05-14 . Cageside Press . en-US.
  15. Web site: Denise Kielholtz vs. Ilara Joanne added to Bellator 289 fight card. mmafighting.com. Mike Heck. 2022-11-21. 2022-11-21.
  16. Web site: 2022-12-09 . Ilara Joanne faz luta equilibrada, vence por pontos e emplaca sequência de vitórias no Bellator . 2022-12-10 . SUPER LUTAS . pt-BR.
  17. Web site: 2022-12-10 . MMA Denise Kielholtz verliest nipt van Ilara Joanne in gelijkwaardige partij . 2022-12-10 . Eurosport . nl.
  18. Web site: Dorff . Marcel . DENISE KIELHOLTZ VECHT IN PARIJS TEGEN PAULA CRISTINA TIJDENS BELLATOR 296 . 2023-04-03 . www.eurosport.com.
  19. Web site: Sherdog.com . Bellator 296 'Mousasi vs. Edwards' Play-by-Play, Results & Round Scoring . 2023-05-13 . Sherdog . en.
  20. Web site: Dorff . Marcel . MMA KIELHOLTZ LICHTPUNTJE IN TELEURSTELLENDE AVOND VOOR NEDERLANDERS IN BELLATOR MMA . 2023-05-13 . www.eurosport.com.
  21. Web site: 2023-09-13 . Bellator 301 set for Chicago: 2 title fights, including Sergio Pettis vs. Patchy Mix, grand prix semifinal, grudge rematch . 2023-09-14 . MMA Junkie . en-US.
  22. Web site: 2023-11-18 . Maui's Sumiko Inaba suffers first career loss at Bellator 301 . 2023-11-18 . KHON2 . en-US.
  23. Web site: Cruz . Guilherme . 2024-03-11 . PFL announces full line-ups for first 3 season events, 8 ex-Bellator champions debut . 2024-03-26 . MMA Fighting . en.
  24. Web site: 2024-03-26 . Cappelozza removed from PFL card on April 4 . 2024-03-26 . ESPN.com . en.
  25. Web site: Denise "Miss Dynamite" Kielholtz Gerges for the Bellator MMA world title. kikotapasando.com.
  26. Web site: Gerges volgt vrouw naar MMA. telegraaf.nl.
  27. Web site: MMA Headlines.nl . Archive.is . 2017-04-10 . bot: unknown . https://archive.today/20141013101206/http://www.mmaheadlines.nl/index.php?mact=News,cntnt01,detail,0&cntnt01articleid=207&cntnt01returnid=62 . 2014-10-13 .
  28. Web site: Bellator Kickboxing Florence Spoilers . LiverKick . 2016-12-12 . 2017-04-10 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20170305003012/http://liverkick.com/index.php/item/4174-bellator-kickboxing-florence-spoilers . 2017-03-05 .
  29. Web site: LiverKick - Enfusion Live #22 Live Results and Stream. Jay. Jauncey. Liverkick.com. 10 April 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20160302213955/http://www.liverkick.com/index.php/item/3300-enfusion-live-22-live-results. 2 March 2016. dead.
  30. Web site: Enfusion Live 2013 Heavyweight Reality Tournament, report by Peter Lowe MC Enfusion-tv.com - SEARCH FOR THE SUPERPRO. Enfusion-tv.com. 10 April 2017.
  31. Web site: NH | Kielholtz Europees kampioen kickboksen . nl-nh . Rtvnh.nl . 2017-03-02 . 2017-04-10 . 2016-03-04 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160304064126/http://www.rtvnh.nl/sport/98147/kielholtz+Europees+kampioen+kickboksen . dead .
  32. Web site: Uitslagen - SLAMM!! "Soema na Basi II", Paramaribo 28 december . nl . Mixfight.nl . 2011-12-29 . 2017-04-10.