Julia Budd (born July 4, 1983) is a Canadian mixed martial artist and kickboxer competing in the featherweight division.
She was the first Bellator Women's Featherweight World Champion and has also fought in Strikeforce, Invicta Fighting Championships, and Professional Fighters League (PFL).
Her second and final loss in the ring came by Germaine de Randamie, after which Budd made the move to MMA.
[1] Budd made her MMA debut on October 22, 2010 (2010-10-22) at Strikeforce Challengers 11, defeating Shana Nelson via TKO in the second round.
[3] On June 24, 2011 (2011-06-24), Budd faced Germaine de Randamie in a rematch under MMA rules at Strikeforce Challengers 16.
[10] Budd was scheduled to face Ediane Gomes at Invicta FC 5: Penne vs. Waterson on April 5, 2013 (2013-04-05).
[15][16] Budd was again scheduled to face Ediane Gomes at Invicta FC 6: Coenen vs. Cyborg on July 13, 2013 (2013-07-13).
[21] Budd was expected to make her promotional debut at Bellator 133 on February 13, 2015, versus Talita Nogueira.
[37] She won the bout in the first round, dropping Rubin with a body kick and then ground and pounding her to a TKO victory.
[38][39] In her fourth title defense, Budd faced Cris Cyborg on January 25, 2020, at Bellator 238 in Inglewood, California.
[43] Budd was initially expected to face Shooto Brazil champion Dayana Silva at Bellator 256 on April 9, 2021.
[46][47] On September 29, 2021, news surfaced that Budd had signed with Professional Fighters League and made her debut against Kaitlin Young on October 27, 2021, at PFL 10.
[61] However, Budd was removed from the fight that she "refused to fulfill her contractual obligation" and was replaced by Aspen Ladd at a catchweight of 150 pounds.