As a mixed martial artist, Julia Budd is the reigning Bellator female featherweight champion. Budd began her MMA career in 2010 and quickly gained a reputation for being one of the most dominant fighters in the sport.
Born on July 4th, 1983, in Roberts Creek, British Columbia, Canada, Budd realized her love for combat sports at a very young age. She was introduced to taekwondo by her father when she was only six years old, and this passion grew into a successful amateur kickboxing career, during which she won several championships.
In 2010, Budd transitioned into MMA and quickly made an impact in the Canadian circuit, amassing a 4-2 record before signing with Strikeforce. Her first fight under the Strikeforce banner was against top contender Amanda Nunes, who currently holds the UFC bantamweight crown. Despite losing the fight, it was clear that Budd had potential, and she continued to improve as a fighter.
Budd's greatest achievement came in March of 2017 when she defeated Marloes Coenen by TKO to become the inaugural Bellator featherweight champion. Since then, she has defended her title three times, against Arlene Blencowe, Talita Nogueira, and Olga Rubin, respectively.
Apart from her technical skills, one of the qualities that make Budd stand out is her resilience. In early 2016, she suffered a devastating loss to Ronda Rousey training partner, Charmaine Tweet, which left her with a broken orbital bone. But instead of giving up, Budd bounced back better than ever, going on a five-fight win streak after the incident.
Over the course of her career, Budd has shown exceptional striking ability, grappling prowess, and knockout power. She remains an inspiration to young girls across the world, who aspire to carve their path in combat sports.
In conclusion, Julia Budd is an exceptional athlete and fighter with a long list of achievements in the sport of MMA. Her hard work, dedication, and perseverance have earned her respect in the world of combat sports, and we can't wait to see what she achieves next.