Julia Budd – Page 6 – Syndication Server

Julia Budd not intimidated by Cris Cyborg, ready for Bellator 238 spotlight

Julia Budd is making the transition from Thackerville to Tinseltown this weekend, and she plans on a Hollywood ending at The Forum.

HOLLYWOOD, Calif. — We’re not in Thackerville anymore, Toto.

No offense to the good people of Oklahoma, but [autotag]Julia Budd[/autotag] has not only been dominant as Bellator featherweight champion over the past three years, but she’s seemed to also be the champion of Bellator’s B-town circuit, with her past four fights (and five of six overall) going down at the WinStar Resort and Casino.

Now, though, Budd (13-2 MMA, 7-0 BMMA) has made it to the bright lights and the big city. The Canadian headlines Bellator 238 at a legendary venue – The Forum in Inglewood, Calif. – on Saturday, taking on a legendary opponent – [autotag]Cris Cyborg[/autotag] – for her 145-pound belt in the DAZN-streamed contest.

On Thursday, Budd was in another legendary spot, the Paramount Studios lot in Hollywood for Bellator 238 media day. And as far as she’s concerned, this week has been a matter of her time finally coming.

“I like Thackerville too, it became like a second home,” Budd told MMA Junkie. “But this week has been amazing. I feel like, it’s second best to fighting at home in British Columbia.”

Of course, while Budd holds the gold, and her name is first on the marquee, the hype has treated her like the B-side as she takes on a fighter many consider the best women’s fighter of all-time in Cyborg (21-2 MMA, 0-0 BMMA). The champ said this has served as motivation to make this significant moment her coming out party.

“Huge motivation,” she said. “Everything has been motivation in this camp. I just used it for fuel. Whether it’s people believing in me, people doubting me, whatever it is. It’s fuel, fuel, fuel, and I can’t wait to go out and give the performance of my life on Saturday.”

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Though Cyborg took a one-sided win over Felicia Spencer in her last UFC fight, people still seem fixated on her bout prior to that, a knockout loss to Amanda Nunes at UFC 232 in December 2018, which ended a win streak dating back to 2005.

For her part, Budd said she expects to face the Cyborg who racked up 20 consecutive victories, not the one who succumbed to a rare defeat against Nunes.

“I prepared for the very best Cris Cyborg,” Budd said. “Yeah, she might have lost. I know how hungry I might have been after a loss, and wanting to get out there and show the world that I wasn’t going to stay down, that I could get better from that. So, I just want to prepare myself for the very best Cris Cyborg. That’s it.

“I’m not Amanda Nunes. I’m Julia Budd. I’m going to get there.”

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Cris Cyborg happy to be away from UFC, starting fresh in Bellator

Winning another championship would be nice, but the opportunity for a fresh start is what excited Cris Cyborg most about being in Bellator.

HOLLYWOOD, Calif. — For those who care about mixed martial arts history, [autotag]Cris Cyborg[/autotag]’s main event against [autotag]Julia Budd[/autotag] on Saturday at Bellator 238 is a fight to watch. If Cyborg (21-2 MMA, 0-0 BMMA) can wrest the Bellator featherweight title from Budd (13-2 MMA, 7-0 BMMA), it will give her a world title in a fourth promotion, to go with belts won in Strikeforce, Invicta FC, and the UFC.

But while Cyborg admits another championship in her collection would be nice, to her, Saturday night is mostly about a fresh start.

Cyborg will make her Bellator debut after a successful but acrimonious stint in the UFC. That, for Cyborg, means as much as any prize she can attain in her new promotion.

“I feel young. I feel motivated,” Cyborg told MMA Junkie at Thursday’s media day. “I feel happy, for new chapter in my career. Excited to have this fight.”

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Cyborg’s 13-year stretch without a loss came to an end in Dec. 2018, when she lost the UFC title to Amanda Nunes. In hindsight, though, Cyborg views the loss as a blessing. After all, if she was still holding the title, she’d have been bound to the company through a champion’s clause. Instead, she’s freed from her tense business relationship with UFC president Dana White.

“I feel in my heart, that loss is God’s gift,” Cyborg said. “Because if (it did) not happen, I would not be here now. And now I am so happy for this new chapter, new era for me. I’m so happy in Bellator. If not happen, I would have to stay unhappy and struggling every day. And now I’m happy here, you know? Now I am focused on training, fighting.”

Now free of the stress of her previous promoter, Cyborg looks to enhance her legacy with another title. She’s found her own happiness already, but said taking the title from Budd will spread joy to those around.

“I think the belt means a lot of me, for me, just be thankful to have a belt around me,” Cyborg said. “For me, to use this platform to share my faith and touch people’s hearts and do what I love to do. You know? This belt is important to touch people’s hearts I’m going to hold their hand for a long time.”

Bellator 238 takes place at The Forum in Inglewood, Calif. The main card streams on DAZN following prelims on MMA Junkie.

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Bellator 238: Julia Budd media day interview

Julia Budd talks to MMA Junkie at Bellator 238 media day

Video: Bellator 238 media day faceoffs from Hollywood

Check out the faceoffs for Julia Budd vs. Cris Cyborg, Darrion Caldwell vs. Adam Borics, and all the big fights at Bellator 238.

HOLLYWOOD, Calif. – Bellator 238 media day took place Thursday, and MMA Junkie was on the scene for the proceedings, which concluded with fighter faceoffs.

A women’s championship fight tops the card, as [autotag]Julia Budd[/autotag] (13-2 MMA, 7-0 BMMA) attempted to defend her title for the fourth time when she takes on former UFC champ [autotag]Cris Cyborg[/autotag] (21-2 MMA, 0-0 BMMA) in the main event.

The co-headliner sees former Bellator titleholder [autotag]Darrion Caldwell[/autotag] (14-3 MMA, 11-2 BMMA) takes on [autotag]Adam Borics[/autotag] (14-0 MMA, 5-0 BMMA) in a quarterfinal matchup in the promotion’s featherweight grand prix.

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In addition, notable names set as Juan Archuleta (23-2 MMA, 5-1 BMMA), Sergio Pettis (18-5 MMA, 0-0 BMMA) and Raymond Daniels (1-1 MMA, 1-0 BMMA) are set to compete.

You can watch the faceoffs for all of the main-card bouts, which took place at Paramount Studios, in the video above.

Bellator 238 takes place Saturday at The Forum in Inglewood, Calif. The main card streams on DAZN following prelims on MMA Junkie.

Bellator 238: Julia Budd vs. Cris Cyborg faceoff

The main event for Bellator 238 square off ahead of their bout

Bellator 238 pre-event facts: Cris Cyborg looks to end Julia Budd’s dominant reign

Check out all the facts and figures about Bellator 238, which takes place Saturday with a Julia Budd vs. Cris Cyborg title-fight main event.

The first Bellator event of the year goes down Saturday with Bellator 238, which takes place at The Forum in Inglewood, Calif., with a main card that streams on DAZN following prelims on MMA Junkie.

In the main event, the only women’s featherweight champion in Bellator history, [autotag]Julia Budd[/autotag] (13-2 MMA, 7-0 BMMA), will attempt to continue her reign atop the division when she takes on her biggest test yet in former UFC champion [autotag]Cris Cyborg[/autotag] (21-2 MMA, 0-0 BMMA), who gets a title shot in her promotional debut.

The card also includes a matchup in the ongoing Bellator featherweight grand prix, as well as some other often-seen notables. For more on the numbers behind the card, check below for 30 pre-event facts about Bellator 238.

* * * *

Main event

Budd’s only career losses came against current UFC bantamweight and featherweight champion Amanda Nunes and ex-titleholder Ronda Rousey.

Budd competes in her eighth Bellator featherweight bout, the second-most appearances in divisional history behind Arlene Blencowe (nine).

Budd enters the event on an 11-fight wining streak. She hasn’t suffered a defeat since November 2011.

Budd’s three consecutive Bellator title defenses are tied with Patricio Freire for second most among current champions behind Ilima-Lei Macfarlane (four).

Budd’s seven-fight Bellator winning streak is tied for the third-longest active streak in the company behind A.J. McKee (16) and Macfarlane (10).

Budd’s seven-fight Bellator winning streak in women’s featherweight competition is the longest active streak in the division.

Budd’s seven-fight Bellator winning streak is the second longest active streak among female fighters in the promotion behind Macfarlane (10).

Budd’s seven victories in Bellator women’s featherweight competition are most in divisional history.

Budd’s three stoppage victories in Bellator women’s featherweight competition are tied with Blencowe and Amanda Bell for most in divisional history.

Cyborg can become the first in history to win titles in Bellator, UFC, Invicta FC and Strikeforce.

Cyborg can become the second in history to win titles in Bellator and UFC. Eddie Alvarez also accomplished the feat in the men’s lightweight division.

Cyborg makes her Bellator debut following a seven-fight UFC stint where she went 6-1 and held the promotion’s women’s featherweight title.

Cyborg’s four victories in UFC women’s featherweight competition are most in divisional history.

Cyborg outlanded her seven UFC opponents 460-148 in significant strikes.

Cyborg has earned 17 of her 21 career victories by knockout. She’s finished 10 of those wins in Round 1.

Co-main event

[autotag]Darrion Caldwell[/autotag] (14-3 MMA, 11-2 BMMA) is 5-0 in Bellator featherweight competition. He’s 7-0 in the weight class during his career.

Caldwell’s five-fight Bellator winning streak in featherweight competition is tied for the second-longest active streak in the division behind McKee (16).

Caldwell has earned five submission victories in Bellator competition. The company record is seven, which is currently held by Goiti Yamauchi.

[autotag]Adam Borics[/autotag]’ (14-0 MMA, 5-0 BMMA) five-fight Bellator winning streak in featherweight competition is tied for the second-longest active streak in the division behind McKee (16).

Borics’ five-fight stoppage streak in Bellator competition is the longest among active fighters in the company.

Borics’ five stoppage victories in Bellator featherweight competition are tied for third most in divisional history behind McKee (11) and Patricio Freire (10).

Remaining main card

[autotag]Juan Archuleta[/autotag] (23-2 MMA, 5-1 BMMA) was a three-division champion under the King of the Cage banner, holding titles at lightweight, featherweight and bantamweight.

[autotag]Sergio Pettis[/autotag] (18-5 MMA, 0-0 BMMA) makes his Bellator debut following a 14-fight UFC stint where he went 9-5.

Pettis earned all nine of his UFC victories by decision.

Pettis is the only fighter in UFC history to earn his first nine wins with the promotion by decision.

[autotag]Raymond Daniels[/autotag] (1-1 MMA, 1-0 BMMA), 39, is the oldest of the 12 scheduled main-card fighters.

Daniels was successful in his return to MMA competition after nearly 11 years when he won at Bellator Europe 1 in May.

[autotag]Ava King[/autotag] (3-4 MMA, 0-0 BMMA) is on a three-fight winning streak after starting her career 0-4.

Preliminary card

[autotag]Aaron Pico[/autotag] (4-3 MMA, 4-3 BMMA) is 4-2 since he dropped to the featherweight division in September 2017.

Pico has suffered all three of his career losses by stoppage.

Bellator 238 fight breakdown: Budd vs. Cyborg

Check out the MMA junkie’s John Morgan and Dan Tom’s analysis and predictions for the Bellator 238 main event between Julia Budd and Cris Cyborg.

Bellator 238: Make your predictions for Julia Budd vs. Cris Cyborg

We want your predictions for Saturday’s Bellator 238 event in Inglewood, Calif.

Our staff picks feature includes the consensus picks from MMA Junkie readers. Simply cast your vote for each bout below, and we’ll use the official tallies that are registered by Thursday at noon ET (9 a.m. PT).

Those MMA Junkie reader consensus picks will be part of the Bellator 238 event staff predictions we release Friday ahead of the event. Bellator 238 takes place Saturday at The Forum in Inglewood, Calif. The main card streams on DAZN following prelims on MMA Junkie.

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Make your picks for all five main card fights inside.

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Cris Cyborg’s plan: beat Julia Budd at Bellator 238, then grand prix in Japan

Cris Cyborg is hoping to bring a grand prix to the Bellator women’s 145-pound division.

HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. – [autotag]Cris Cyborg[/autotag] has a plan.

The former UFC, Strikeforce, and Invicta featherweight champion, Cyborg (21-2 MMA, 0-0 BMMA) looks to add Bellator gold to her trophy case when she takes on current champ [autotag]Julia Budd[/autotag]. The fight headlines Bellator 238.

The first part of Cyborg’s plan is obvious: win her promotional debut Jan. 25. Cyborg acknowledges Budd (13-2 MMA, 7-0 BMMA) will likely be a stiff test, especially given the Canadian’s credentials in the organization.

“I think she’s a great fighter,” Cyborg told reporters, including MMA Junkie at a Monday media day at her gym. “She’s the champion at 145 pounds and she’s been a champion a long time. She’s undefeated eight years. She’s going to be a great challenge for me … I always like to challenge myself if I have the opportunity. I think it’s a big thing to sign with Bellator.”

Following what she hopes will be a successful outing in Inglewood, Calif., Cyborg aims to check another item off her bucket list. The 34-year-old featherweight said it would be a dream come true to partake in a Bellator grand prix in Japan.

On the men’s side, Bellator’s heavyweight, welterweight, and featherweight classes have participated in grand prix in recent years. The company has yet to hold a grand prix in any of the women’s divisions.

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“My focus first is Julia,” Cyborg said. “If I had the opportunity, I think one dream I have is to make a grand prix. I think being in Bellator, Scott (Coker) would be open to that – making more than one fight a night.

“I think it’s going to be a Japan event. I mean, shoot boxing has a lot of fighters over there that do that. I think it’s going to be a dream – a dream coming true for me.”

Bellator 238 takes place Jan. 25 at The Forum in Inglewood, Calif. The main card streams on DAZN following prelims on MMA Junkie.

To hear more from Cyborg, watch the video linked above.

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Julia Budd plans to remind debuting Cris Cyborg who runs division at Bellator 238

Julia Budd has no intention of rolling over for Cris Cyborg at Bellator 238

VANCOUVER – [autotag]Julia Budd[/autotag] has no intention of rolling over for Cris Cyborg at Bellator 238.

Budd (13-2 MMA, 7-0 BMMA) has controlled Bellator’s featherweight division with an iron fist since its inception. She’s the only titleholder in the history of the company’s weight class, but later this month will face a challenge unlike any other in Cyborg (21-2 MMA, 0-0 BMMA), the former UFC, Invicta FC and Strikeforce champ who will make her promotional debut at the event.

No one who has come for Budd’s belt has possessed the skills and accolades of Cyborg, but the champion said she is not intimidated. Budd admitted the fight definitely has different vibe, but it’s one she’s relishing.

“It does feel different,” Budd told MMA Junkie. “It feels different because of who she is, who she’s been in the 145-pound division, which I feel like is my division and I feel like I’ve got to go out there and make a statement. It’s been extra motivation this whole camp and I’m just excited to go out there and defend my belt.”

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Bellator 238 takes place at The Forum in Inglewood, Calif. Budd vs. Cyborg headlines the main card, which streams on DAZN following prelims on MMA Junkie.

Bellator president Scott Coker has touted Cyborg as the greatest female fighter of all-time ahead of Bellator 238. Given her accomplishments, she is certainly at the forefront of the conversation. The Brazilian has been in the game since 2005, though, and an argument can also be made that she’s started to show some drop off in performance.

After putting together a 20-fight unbeaten streak that lasted more than 13 years, Cyborg finally lost when she dropped the UFC title to Amanda Nunes in a stunning 51-second knockout in December 2018. She rebounded with a decision win over Felicia Spencer at UFC 240 in July, then parted ways with the promotion in free agency and joined Bellator.

Budd said she hasn’t seen any diminishment, though, and has prepared herself for a version of Cyborg that exceeds anything she’s even shown in her prime.

“I prepare for every opponent like they’re going to be the toughest opponent I’m getting into the cage with,” Budd said. “I’m preparing for the very best Cris Cyborg. I’ve watched all her fights, all the good ones, I watched the Amanda Nunes fight. I’ve watched everything her whole career because I’ve known about her my whole career. I’ve always known we’d face each other, but this is just the perfect time.”

For Budd, Bellator 238 represents the moment for which she’s waited years. Since starting her career with a 2-2 record with losses to Nunes and Ronda Rousey, the Canadian has turned a corner and has won 11 consecutive bouts, including four consecutive defenses of her Bellator belt.

It’s hard to ignore what Nunes is doing in the UFC, but given the 145-pound division has been a career-long home for her and Cyborg, Budd said she’d “like to think” the winner of her upcoming fight will be viewed as the best fighter in the world in the weight class.

All that big-picture talk is not of major concern to Budd, though – at least not now. She knows those conversations become a moot point if she doesn’t win at Bellator 238, so until that happens, she said her focus is narrow.

“I never look past (anyone), so this is it for me,” Budd said. “This is everything. I’m imagining that this is just everything, so I put all my eggs in one basket. This preparation, mentally, physically, emotionally – it’s just been so good the last few months. So I’m not looking past this. This is it. That’s how I look at every fight.”

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