Denise Kielholtz

Denise Kielholtz (born 30 March 1989) is a Dutch professional mixed martial artist and Muay Thai kickboxer, who competes in the women's Flyweight division of the Professional Fighters League (PFL). As of April 21, 2026, she is #6 in the PFL women's flyweight rankings.

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 Turin, Italy on April 16, 2016. 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.

Kielholtz was expected to face Lena Ovchynnikova in the co-main event of Bellator 196 in Budapest, Hungary on April 6, 2018. 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. She lost the fight via a submission.

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

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

Kielholtz faced Kristina Williams at Bellator 239 on February 21, 2020. 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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Kielholtz was scheduled to face Dakota Ditcheva at PFL Dubai: Nurmagomedov vs. Davis on February 7, 2026. However, Ditcheva withdrew due to injury and was replaced by Antonia Silvaneide. Kielholtz won the bout via unanimous decision.

The bout with Ditcheva was re-scheduled and took place on 31 July 2026, at PFL New York. Kielholtz lost the bout via unanimous decision.

Personal life Kielholtz was born in Amsterdam to a Dutch father and a Curaçaoan mother. She is married to kickboxer Hesdy Gerges.

Championships and awards Kickboxing Bellator Kickboxing Bellator Kickboxing Women's Flyweight Championship (One time, inaugural, final) Enfusion 2014 Enfusion Live Champion 57 kg (1 Title Def.) 2012 Enfusion -60 kg (Winner) World Muay Thai Association 2013 WMTA Super Bantamweight World Champion World Full Contact Association 2013 WFCA European Champion, -57 kg Slamm 2011 Slamm Women's Championship -60 kg

Judo 2008 Dutch Team Championships Gold 2006 Dutch Open Espoir U20 Tournament Bronze 2005 Scottish Open U20 Championships Edinburgh Bronze 2005 Scottish Open Championships Edinburgh Bronze 2005 Dutch Championships U17 Siler 2004 Dutch Open Espoir U17 Tournament Bronze 2003 Dutch Championships U15 Nieuwegein Gold 2002 Dutch Championships U15 Nieuwegein Bronze

Boxing 2012 Amateur Arabic Featherweight World Champion 55 kg (Defeated Lorena Klijn) -56 kg

Mixed martial arts record Loss

Dakota Ditcheva Decision (unanimous) PFL New York: Nurmagomedov vs. Colgan

Elmont, New York, United States Win

Antonia Silvaneide Decision (unanimous) PFL Dubai: Nurmagomedov vs. Davis

Dubai, United Arab Emirates Win

Sumiko Inaba Decision (unanimous) Bellator 301

Chicago, Illinois, United States Win

Paula Cristina Decision (unanimous) Bellator 296

Paris, France Loss

Ilara Joanne Decision (split) Bellator 289

Uncasville, Connecticut, United States Loss

Kana Watanabe Submission (triangle choke) Bellator 281

London, England Loss

Juliana Velasquez Decision (split) Bellator 262

Uncasville, Connecticut, United States Win

Kate Jackson KO (punches) Bellator 247

Milan, Italy Win

Kristina Williams Submission (rear-naked choke) Bellator 239

Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States Win

Sabriye Şengül Submission (americana) Bellator London 2

London, England Win

Bryony Tyrell TKO (punches) Bellator 223

London, England Loss

Veta Arteaga Submission (guillotine choke) Bellator 205

Boise, Idaho, United States Win

Petra Částková Decision (unanimous) Bellator 196

Budapest, Hungary Win

Jessica Middleton Submission (scarfhold armbar) Bellator 188

Tel Aviv, Israel Loss

Juliete de Souza Silva Submission (armbar) Torarica Summer Fights 1

Paramaribo, Suriname

Kickboxing record