UNCASVILLE, Conn. – Juliana Velasquez feels she’s got the key to unlock the Ilima-Lei Macfarlane puzzle.

The unbeaten Bellator flyweight takes on Bellator 125-pound champion Macfarlane (11-0 MMA, 10-0 BMMA) in the main event of Bellator 254 on Thursday night. Neither fighter has tasted defeat in their respective professional MMA careers, making the flyweight clash a very appealing bout.

But despite the fact no one to date has figured out how to defeat Macfarlane, Velasquez (10-0 MMA, 5-0 BMMA) believes she knows the key to dethroning the champ.

“There is a big difference between being a fighter and being an athlete,” Velasquez told MMA Junkie on Tuesday at Bellator 254 media day. “Even though I fight, I’m an athlete first. I came from judo, which is an Olympic sport, so I’m trained athlete and now I’m training and fighting.

“I believe that’s the type of athlete and the type of fighter you have to be, you have to be an athletic fighter to beat the current champion.”

With a 5-0 Bellator record, Velasquez has been waiting for this opportunity for some time. She also hasn’t been able to step in the cage since December 2019, when she outpointed Bruna Ellen via unanimous decision at Bellator 236.

The Brazilian judoka admits it was tough to sit on the sidelines and wait for her shot at the belt.

“Yeah, it was a bit frustrating and a bit worrisome at times,” Velasquez said. “To sit there and see all these title fights get announce, but it is what it is. Here we are at the end of the year and I’m going to finish the year with a bang.”

Velasquez promises to deliver Thursday night. Although her adversary is known for her dangerous ground game, Velasquez is not afraid to hit the canvas and show off her judo skills.

“I think fans are going to see a different Juliana than before,” Velasquez said.  “People always kind of know me for my stand up and my striking ability, but I think that they’re going to see the grappling side, since my background is judo.”