Julia Budd facts for kids

Julia Budd (born July 4, 1983) is a Canadian mixed martial artist and kickboxer. She competes in the featherweight division, which is a weight class for fighters. Julia made history by becoming the very first Bellator Women's Featherweight World Champion. She has also competed in other big fighting organizations like Strikeforce, Invicta Fighting Championships, and Professional Fighters League (PFL).

Martial Arts Training

Julia Budd trained in Muay Thai for many years. Muay Thai is a type of martial art from Thailand that uses fists, elbows, knees, and shins. She became the only woman to defeat American fighter Gina Carano in a Muay Thai competition.

After her second and final loss in the ring to Germaine de Randamie, Julia decided to move into mixed martial arts (MMA). Her Muay Thai record was 10 wins and 2 losses. She started training in MMA at the end of 2008. In 2011, she got a chance to fight Germaine de Randamie again, but this time in an MMA bout. Julia won that fight by a unanimous decision, which means all the judges agreed she won.

Julia trains at the Gibson Kickboxing & Pankration Academy.

Mixed Martial Arts Career

Julia Budd started her MMA career on October 22, 2010, at Strikeforce Challengers 11. She won her first fight against Shana Nelson in the second round.

In her next fight on January 7, 2011, Julia faced Amanda Nunes at Strikeforce Challengers 13. She lost this fight quickly, in just 14 seconds.

On June 24, 2011, Julia had her rematch with Germaine de Randamie at Strikeforce Challengers 16. This time, under MMA rules, Julia won by a unanimous decision.

Julia's last fight for Strikeforce was on November 18, 2011. She lost to Ronda Rousey at Strikeforce Challengers 20.

Invicta Fighting Championships

In 2012, Julia joined Invicta Fighting Championships. Her first fight there was on July 28, 2012, at Invicta FC 2 against Elina Nilsson. Julia won in the first round.

She fought again on October 6, 2012, at Invicta FC 3. She was supposed to fight Elaina Maxwell, but Maxwell got injured. So, Julia fought Danielle West instead and won in the first round.

Julia was scheduled for a fight at Invicta FC 5 on April 5, 2013. Her opponent changed a few times, but she ended up fighting Mollie Estes. Julia won this fight in the third round by submission.

She was set to fight again on July 13, 2013, at Invicta FC 6, but she had to pull out because of a neck injury.

On December 7, 2013, Julia faced Charmaine Tweet at Invicta FC 7. She won this fight by unanimous decision.

Bellator MMA

In August 2014, Julia signed with Bellator, another major MMA organization.

Her first fight for Bellator was on February 13, 2015, at Bellator 133. She was supposed to fight Talita Nogueira, but Nogueira got injured. Julia then fought Gabrielle Holloway and won by unanimous decision.

Julia was set to fight Marloes Coenen for the first-ever Bellator Women's Featherweight Championship at Bellator 155. However, Julia got injured, and the title fight was postponed.

On October 21, 2016, Julia fought Arlene Blencowe at Bellator 162. She won the fight by a majority decision.

Julia finally faced Marloes Coenen for the Bellator Inaugural Women's Featherweight World Championship at Bellator 174 on March 3, 2017. Julia won the fight in the fourth round, becoming the first Bellator Women's Featherweight World Champion!

In her first title defense, Julia fought Arlene Blencowe again on December 1, 2017, at Bellator 189. She won the fight by split decision, successfully defending her title.

Her second title defense was on July 13, 2018, at Bellator 202 against Talita Nogueira. Julia won the fight in the third round and kept her title.

In April 2019, Julia signed a new four-fight contract with Bellator.

For her first fight under the new deal, Julia faced Olga Rubin on July 12, 2019, at Bellator 224. She won in the first round, defending her title for the fourth time.

In her fourth title defense, Julia faced Cris Cyborg on January 25, 2020, at Bellator 238. She lost the fight in the fourth round, losing her championship title.

Julia then fought Jessy Miele on August 21, 2020, at Bellator 244. She won this fight by unanimous decision.

She was scheduled to fight Dayana Silva at Bellator 256, but the fight was moved to April 16, 2021, at Bellator 257. Julia won by split decision. After this fight, her contract with Bellator ended.

Professional Fighters League

On September 29, 2021, Julia signed with the Professional Fighters League (PFL). She made her debut against Kaitlin Young on October 27, 2021, at PFL 10. Julia won the fight by unanimous decision.

2022 Season

Julia faced Genah Fabian on May 6, 2022, at PFL 3. Fabian missed weight for the fight, so Julia was given a win even before the fight started. Julia lost the actual bout by unanimous decision.

Julia was supposed to fight Kayla Harrison on July 1, 2022, at PFL 6, but she had to withdraw due to an injury.

Julia then fought Aspen Ladd on November 25, 2022, at PFL 10. She lost this fight by split decision.

2023 Season

Julia started her 2023 season against Larissa Pacheco on April 7, 2023, at PFL 2. She lost the fight by unanimous decision.

Julia faced Martina Jindrová on June 16, 2023, at PFL 5. She won this fight by unanimous decision.

Julia was scheduled to fight Kayla Harrison again on November 24, 2023, at PFL 10. However, Julia was removed from the fight because she "refused to fulfill her contractual obligation." She was then released from the PFL.

Personal Life

Julia Budd is married to Lance Gibson, who is also a former MMA fighter. She is the step-mother of Lance Gibson Jr., who is a current Bellator lightweight fighter.

Championships and Accomplishments

• Bellator MMA
  • Bellator Women's Featherweight World Championship (one time; first; former)
    • Three successful title defenses
  • Most victories in Bellator Women's Featherweight division history (9)

Mixed Martial Arts Record Summary

Julia Budd has a professional MMA record of 17 wins and 6 losses.

• She won 6 fights by knockout (KO).
• She won 1 fight by submission.
• She won 10 fights by decision (when the judges decide the winner).
• She lost 2 fights by knockout.
• She lost 1 fight by submission.
• She lost 3 fights by decision.

Kickboxing Record Summary

Julia Budd's professional kickboxing record is 10 wins and 2 losses.

• She won 4 fights by knockout.
• She won 6 fights by decision.
• She lost 2 fights, one by TKO.

See also

• List of female kickboxers
• List of female mixed martial artists