Ex-Bellator Featherweight Champion Julia Budd Signs with Professional Fighters League

Former Bellator MMA featherweight queen Julia Budd has signed with Professional Fighters League.

Budd will make her promotional debut at the PFL Championship against an as yet to be announced opponent at the Seminole Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Fla., on Oct. 27. The PFL announced the addition of Budd during a press conference on Wednesday afternoon. It is currently unclear if Budd will compete at 155 pounds or if the organization will add a featherweight divison for the upcoming season.

CONFIRMED: Welcome to the PFL, @JuliaBudd! She faces @kaitlin_young at the 2021 #PFLChampionship! pic.twitter.com/Ixp3SCNlqh

— PFL (@PFLMMA) September 29, 2021

“The Jewel” reigned as 145-pound champion in Bellator from 2017 to 2020 before relinquishing the crown to Cristiane Justino at Bellator 238. Budd has since rebounded from that defeat to post triumphs over Jessy Miele and Dayana Silva in her final two promotional appearances.

Budd has been victorious in 13 of her last 14 professional outings. The 38-year-old Canadian has compiled a 15-3 career mark, with her only defeats coming against Justino, Ronda Rousey and Amanda Nunes.