Julia Budd had to settle with a close split decision against Dayana Silva at Bellator 257. “I wish I got the finish, but I knew how tough she was coming in,” Budd (15-3) said following the fight. “No one’s ever finished her.”
The promotion’s former featherweight champ, Budd was hoping to put on a show at Bellator 257, and twist Bellator President Scott Coker’s arm. That, in hope of convincing him to put her ahead of fellow featherweight contender Cat Zingano, who was seemingly promised the winner of the upcoming Cris Cyborg vs. Leslie Smith title fight.
Was the split decision enough? Budd seems to think so. “I mean, judging by the opponents we just fought, I think I could probably twist his arm. Mine was a little bit different than her opponent, that she finished.” Zingano submitted the little known Olivira Parker a week ago — a finish, yes, but against a lesser experienced opponent. “At the same time, I’d be happy to fight her [Cat Zingano]. I want to get my belt back, so whatever it takes. I’m hoping to have a conversation with Scott and sit down and see what the next few fights look like for me.”
With Leslie Smith and Cat Zigano in the mix, it has felt of late like Budd is the odd woman out. Something she agreed with, before adding “I want that belt back, I want to fight her [Cris Cyborg] again. Like I said before the fight, I never accept failure, and I know I could put way more into that fight and come out with the win.”
Watch the full Bellator 257 post-fight press scrum with Julia Budd above.
