The Professional Fighters League added a big name to its roster in former champion Julia Budd.
During the PFL Championship Finals press conference, Peter Murray announced that Budd has signed a deal with the promotion. Budd will make her debut during the PFL Finals on October 27 from inside the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Florida. She will be competing in a lightweight showcase bout against Kaitlin Young.
CONFIRMED: Welcome to the PFL, @JuliaBudd! She faces @kaitlin_young at the 2021 #PFLChampionship! pic.twitter.com/Ixp3SCNlqh
— PFL (@PFLMMA) September 29, 2021
Making her professional debut in 2010, Budd has fought the likes of Amanda Nunes, Germaine de Randamie, Ronda Rousey, and Cris Cyborg. She has fought for Strikeforce, Invicta FC, and Bellator, the latter she ended up becoming the first Bellator Featherweight Champion. Defending the title three times, Budd lost the title to Cyborg in 2020.
She has since won two in a row, beating Dayana Silva at Bellator 257 back in April via split decision.
Budd faces Young, who has been fighting professionally since 2007. A former title contender, Young made her PFL debut in May, beating Cindy Dandois. Her last fight was a loss to Mariana Morais in June.
It is unknown if Budd will be competing in the lightweight division, the only women's division competing for PFL gold, next season. Lightweights will be main eventing the PFL Championship event, with Kayla Harrison facing Taylor Guardado. Boxing champion Claressa Shields will also be competing on the card, facing Abigail Montes.
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