Former Bellator MMA women’s featherweight champion Julia Budd will return to action later this month. On Friday, Bellator officials revealed that Budd will face Jessy Miele in the co-main event of Bellator 244.
That fight joins a number of others unveiled for the card, including names like Josh Hill (taking on another notable, Erik Perez), John Salter, and Budd’s own stepson Lance Gibson Jr, who will also be fighting at the event.
Budd (13-3) was the inaugural women’s featherweight champion in Bellator, defending the title three times after winning the belt in 2017 against Marloes Coenen. She lost the title this past January to Cris Cyborg, and has not fought since.
Miele (9-4) has won her last four bouts, including her promotional debut against Talita Nogueira last October. Miele has shared the cage with a number of notable names, including former UFC fighter Elizabeth Phillips, Charmaine Tweet, and UFC/TUF alum Peggy Morgan.
Bellator 244, which takes place August 22 at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT, is headlined by a light heavyweight title fight between champ Ryan Bader and Vadim Nemkov. At heavyweight, Roy Nelson takes on Valentin Moldavsky. The following preliminary card bouts have also been added to the event:
Adam Piccolotti vs. Sidney Outlaw
John Salter vs. Andrew Kapel
Lance Gibson Jr vs. Shane Kruchten
Vladimir Tokov vs. Chris Gonzalez
Lucas Brennan vs. Will Smith
Erik Perez vs. Josh Hill
