Julia Budd is set to return to defend her Bellator MMA featherweight crown this July against Russian Olga Rubin.
Bellator MMA’s women’s featherweight division continues to roll along, and its champ is due to be back in action shortly. During Friday’s Bellator 218 broadcast, Bellator officials announced that Julia Budd would defend her title against Olga Rubin at the Winstar World Casino and Resort in Thackerville, OK on July 12. That was the site of Bellator 218, and the venue has long been a Bellator stronghold.
It’s great timing for the 145lb division, as the UFC has finally shown signs that it is doing something with the weight class, inking Invicta FC featherweight champ Felicia Spencer to a deal.
Budd (12–2) has won ten straight fights, but has not been seen in the cage since a win over Talita Nogueira a year ago. Her last three bouts, which saw her win the promotion’s featherweight title and defend it twice, have all come in the very same venue. A Canadian hailing from British Columbia, Budd has also competed for Strikeforce and Invicta FC. Her only two losses came early in her career, to Ronda Rousey and Amanda Nunes.
Olga Rubin (6-0) is perfect in her career to date. Hailing from Moscow, ‘Big Bad’ will attempt to do what the last ten ladies could not, and get the better of B.C.’s Budd.
