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. As of October 10, 2023, she is #10 in the Bellator Women's pound-for-pound Rankings and #6 in the Bellator 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 Torino, 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 is scheduled to face Sumiko Inaba on November 17, 2023 at Bellator 301.
Personal life
Kielholtz is married to kickboxer Hesdy Gerges.
Championships and awards
Kickboxing
Bellator Kickboxing
Bellator Kickboxing Women's Flyweight Championship (One time, current) 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
2006 Dutch Open Espoir U20 Tournament
2005 Scottish Open U20 Championships Edinburgh
2005 Scottish Open Championships Edinburgh
2005 Dutch Championships U17
2004 Dutch Open Espoir U17 Tournament
2003 Dutch Championships U15 Nieuwegein
2002 Dutch Championships U15 Nieuwegein
Boxing
2012 Amateur Arabic Featherweight World Champion 55 kg (Defeated Lorena Klijn) -56 kg