Julia Budd

Julia Budd was born on July 4, 1983, in Roberts Creek, British Columbia, Canada. She began her combat sports career in Muay Thai, where she notably became the only woman to defeat Gina Carano in Muay Thai competition. Her professional Muay Thai record stands at 10 wins and 2 losses. Budd then transitioned to mixed martial arts (MMA), making her professional debut on October 22, 2010, at Strikeforce Challengers 11, where she secured a victory via TKO in the second round. Her early career saw her compete in prominent organizations such as Strikeforce and Invicta Fighting Championships, facing notable opponents like Amanda Nunes and Ronda Rousey.

Budd’s career reached a significant milestone when she signed with Bellator MMA in August 2014. She quickly rose through the ranks, culminating in her winning the inaugural Bellator Women’s Featherweight World Championship on March 3, 2017, by defeating Marloes Coenen. She successfully defended her title three times against opponents including Arlene Blencowe and Talita Nogueira, establishing herself as a dominant force in the featherweight division. Her reign as champion concluded on January 25, 2020, at Bellator 238, where she lost to Cris Cyborg via TKO.

Following her tenure with Bellator, Budd joined the Professional Fighters League (PFL) in September 2021, making her debut with a unanimous decision win against Kaitlin Young. She continued to compete in the PFL’s lightweight and featherweight divisions, facing top contenders such as Larissa Pacheco and Aspen Ladd. Budd has consistently demonstrated resilience and skill throughout her career, maintaining her position as a respected veteran in women’s MMA. Her fighting style, rooted in kickboxing, has evolved to incorporate a comprehensive MMA skill set, allowing her to compete at the highest levels of the sport.