Ekaterina Shakalova never counted herself out.
While the oddsmakers may have, Shakalova (9-2) proved them all wrong when she submitted former Bellator champion Juliana Velasquez (13-4) on Friday at 2025 PFL World Tournament 2. The tap came at 2:05 of Round 1.
With the upset victory, Ukraine’s Shakalova advances to the semifinal round where she will face Jena Bishop on June 20 in Wichita, Kan. She bounces back from a loss to Aspen Ladd in May 2024.
After the fight, Shakalova celebrated by dancing and eating a cinnamon roll in the cage.
💣 BRACKET. BUSTED. 💣
🇺🇦 Ekaterina Shakalova just stunned the world#PFLWorldTournament LIVE NOW
🇺🇸 ESPN+
🌎 https://t.co/jPNvomCxHI pic.twitter.com/lmv5eLeMMZ— PFL (@PFLMMA) April 12, 2025
No necks and no cinnamon rolls are safe around Ekaterina Shakalova!#PFLWorldTournament LIVE NOW
🇺🇸 ESPN+
🌎 https://t.co/jPNvomCxHI pic.twitter.com/cM4M3aba4q— PFL (@PFLMMA) April 12, 2025
Velasquez, 38, has now lost four of her most recent five fights after a 12-0 start.
Up-to-the-minute 2025 PFL 2 results include:
- Ekaterina Shakalova def. Juliana Velasquez via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 2:05
- Jake Hadley def. Matheus Mattos via submission (twister) – Round 3, 2:16
- Jena Bishop def. Kana Watanabe via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
- Elora Dana def. Diana Avsaragova via submission (neck crank) – Round 1, 4:48
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for 2025 PFL World Tournament 2.
