Julia Budd

The Jewel

Canada

Loses belt after long reign
FeatherweightOther
January 26, 2020
Budd lost to Cris Cyborg via TKO (punches) at 1:14 of Round 4 at Bellator 238 on Saturday.
ANALYSIS
Budd entered this fight as the first and only Bellator Women's Featherweight Champion, and had hoped a victory over one of the greatest female fighters of all time would cement her legacy. It just wasn't meant to be. Budd actually matched up well with Cyborg in terms of size and strength, which was evident in her ability to achieve multiple reversals in the clinch position. However, it was the relentless striking of Cyborg that ultimately got the best of her. Cyborg showed exceptional cardio and continued to press forward, looking just as fresh in the championship rounds as she did in the opening frame. It was a body shot in Round 4 that ultimately ended Budd's night, as it crumpled her to the canvas where she eventually succumbed to strikes. While this was a relatively one-sided affair, Budd poses the most realistic threat to Cyborg of anyone on the roster, so it's entirely possible Bellator chooses to run this one back.
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Makes quick work of latest challenger
FeatherweightOther
July 15, 2019
Budd defeated Olga Rubin via TKO (body kick and punches) at 2:14 of Round 1 at Bellator 224 on Friday in Thackerville, Oklahoma.
ANALYSIS
It was a right crescent kick to the body that ended up being the beginning of the end for Rubin, as Budd pounced from there to chase her down with punches. Rubin was crumpling to the mat in pain before a follow-up knee from the champion sealed the deal. This was Budd's first title defense since taking the belt from Talita Nogueria a year earlier, and she certainly looked the part of a champion. After the fight, she expressed interest in fighting the recently-signed Leslie Smith (who picked up a win earlier on the evening) or moving up for a possible catchweight bout with Rizin's Gabbie Garcia.
Finishes Nogueira to defend her featherweight title
FeatherweightOther
July 20, 2018
Budd successfully defended her Bellator featherweight championship against Talita Nogueira via TKO (punches) at 4:07 of Round 3 at Bellator 202 on Friday in Oklahoma.
ANALYSIS
It took some time for Budd to get going in the first round, but after connecting with a body kick and a slam in the first, she never looked back. Budd put on a dominating performance in a second round that could have been called a 10-8, and was the fresher fighter in the third where she was able to secure the finish. The shadow of Cris Cyborg looms for any female 145er, but with that seemingly a long shot, Budd decided to call out Sinead Kavanagh during her post-fight interview.
Holds onto her title with a decision victory in the main event of Bellator 189
FeatherweightOther
December 1, 2017
Budd defeated Arlene Blencowe via unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 48-47) at Bellator 189 on Friday in Thackerville, Okla.
ANALYSIS
Budd was able to successfully defend her women's featherweight title and pick up her second decision victory over Arlene Blencowe. In their first fight, Budd spent most of the time in the clinch working for takedowns. She used this to control the pace and position of the fight. In this bout, she allowed Blencowe to turn this into a striking contest. Blencowe moved forward for most of the fight. Budd landed in the striking exchanges, but she seemed to be leading from behind. At the end of the day, the judges handed the decision to Budd. This fight was not very exciting and did very little to inspire interest in Bellator's women's featherweight division. As it stands, there are very few contender for Budd's title in Bellator or around the globe.
To make first title defense at Bellator 189
FeatherweightOther
October 8, 2017
Budd will face Arlene Blencowe in a featherweight title fight at Bellator 189 on Decemeber 1 in Thackerville, Oklahoma.
ANALYSIS
Budd claimed the inaugural women's featherweight belt in March with a TKO (punches) over Marloes Coenen. "The Jewel" will be defending her title for the first time in a rematch with Blencowe, who she beat via majority decision last October. Budd is 10-2 overall (4-0 Bellator) and is riding an eight-fight winning streak.
Claims inaugural Bellator featherweight
FeatherweightOther
March 3, 2017
Budd defeated Marloes Coenen via TKO (punches) at 2:42 of Round 4 at Bellator 174 in Thackerville, Okla. on Friday.
ANALYSIS
Coenen seemed to want this fight on the ground, and Budd was more than happy to oblige. She spent the majority of this fight on top and dominated with strikes. In the early rounds, Coenen was threatening with submissions. However, after the second round, she did not have very much. Budd continued to pick away at her until she finally got the mount in the fourth round. Once there, she threw tons of punches and elbows until the referee stopped the bout. Budd has now won all four of her bouts in Bellator and holds the inaugural featherweight title