July 2018 MMA Athlete of the Month: Julia Budd

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When people debate the pound for pound best or ranking such as that, they are sometimes blinded by the UFC bubble, where they think all the best are in that promotion. That however is not accurate at all. Case in point, Julia Budd. Julia started her career with a 2-2 record, which in itself is not "remarkable". But consider, those two looses were Amanda Nunes and Ronda Rousey. But those where early in her career, when she was herself just learning and getting started.

What's remarkable is those losses came in 2011. Julia has not lost a single fight since. After those bouts she moved on to Invicta FC winning all four bouts for the promotion, finishing three of them. It was clear even in those bouts, Julia worked hard to make improvements in her game and people were seeing the potential was there for big things. Her opponents in those bouts were outmatched, but Julia was still very impressive and it was on opportunity for the world to see.



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In early 2015 Julia moved on to Bellator and got a decision win over Gabrielle Holloway and immediately let Bellator know that they could be on to something special. Nine months later she took out previously unbeaten Roberta Rovel and then the big tests came. Julia faced Arlene Blencowe, a fighter way better than her record would indicate and took a decision and then got to face Marloes Coenen for the vacant featherweight title. Budd not only won the bout and the title, but she got a fourth round stoppage against Coenen, someone who most people would have on their lists of the best females in the sports history. From there, Julia would defend her new title in a rematch with Blencowe and again get the decision.

This led to July 13th at Bellator 202. Budd was set to defend her title against undefeated Talita Nogueira. Budd not only defeated a Nogueira that some thought would be her toughest challenge, but did so in dominating fashion, winning via TKO in round three. Cementing herself as one of the top two featherweights in the world and among the sports pound for pound best.


Photo Credit: Bellator MMA

What is next for Julia? Well the fight many fans want to see is currently not possible. Many fans would love to see Julia get her chance to be the one to possibly dethrone Cris Cyborg, but the two fighters being in different promotions obviously makes that impossible for the time being. But as Budd continues to put on great performances and Cyborg does so as well, then that is a fight down the line we can hope for. But that is the future, so for now we can hope that Bellator can continue to do what they have been successful at, having a featherweight division with solid contenders to continue giving Julia an opportunity to show that her name belongs with the with others at the top of the list of pound for pound elite in MMA and continue to show her ever evolving skills. Julia has shown she can stand and bang when she wants to or she cant take you down and do some serious damage from the top, and in each fight she has done so better than the fight before.