Bellator Kickboxing Champ Denise Kielholtz to Make Sophomore MMA Appearance in Israel

Denise Kielholtz will try her hand at MMA for a second time when she squares off against Jessica Middleton at Bellator 188 in Israel on Nov. 16.

A promotion official confirmed the female flyweight matchup to Sherdog.com on Wednesday. Bellator 188 takes place at Menora Mivtachim Arena in Tel Aviv, Israel, and is headlined by a featherweight championship rematch between Patricio Freire and Daniel Weichel.

Kielholtz has compiled a 4-1 record with Bellator Kickboxing, capturing the promotion’s title with a five-round verdict over Gloria Peritore last December. The Dutchwoman defended the crown with a unanimous decision victory against Martine Michieletto on April 8. Kielholtz’s first MMA appearance came on Oct. 31, 2015, when she was submitted by Juliete de Souza Silva in the opening round at Torarica Summer Fights 1 in Suriname.

Middleton, meanwhile, began her Bellator tenure with two straight victories. However, she has since dropped back-to-back bouts to Emily Ducote and Ilima-Lei Macfarlane, the two women who will vie for the inaugural Bellator women’s flyweight crown on Nov. 3.