While she was competing for Bellator MMA, Julia Budd always hoped to be involved in a tournament.
Though that didn’t come to fruition with the Scott Coker-led promotion, Budd will get that opportunity — in a sense, at least — with the Professional Fighters League season format at 145 pounds. It will mark the debut of the weight class in the league after the PFL previously held women’s fights at 155 pounds.
“This is something I always wish Bellator did,” Budd said during a PFL media day. “When I fought for them for seven years and they started doing those tournaments, I thought it would be so cool if they did a female 145 tournament. Now PFL is doing it and I’m here. It just feels like the perfect timing.”
Budd will square off against defending lightweight champion Larissa Pacheco in the PFL 2: 2023 Regular Season headliner on Friday at The Theater at Virgin Hotels in Las Vegas. The evening’s main card airs on ESPN 2 beginning at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.
Budd competed at lightweight for the PFL’s 2022 season, but things did not go as planned, as she lost to Genah Fabian in her lone bout. Meanwhile, a proposed booking against Kayla Harrison fell through when Budd had to withdraw from the bout due to injury. All things considered, Budd is pleased with how things have turned out heading into the new campaign — and that’s even coming off a split decision loss to Aspen Ladd at 145 pounds in a showcase fight at the 2022 PFL Championships.
“After my last fight I didn’t know this was what was going to be what was next for me,” Budd said. “But main event against the champ from last year at 145? I couldn’t have written anything even more perfect than this. I’m so prepared and so confident. It just feels like it’s all coming together.”
Pacheco has built a reputation in the PFL behind numerous quick knockout victories, but her upset win over Harrison in the 2022 final showcased other abilities in a five-round decision triumph. Budd has made it a point to be aware of all of her opponent’s skills heading into their matchup.
“To prepare for her, you’ve got to look at all of her wins. We were able to see a lot,” Budd said. “… As we started dissecting different film along the way, we saw there’s a lot here that’s more than just the quick knockout punch in the first round. Obviously preparing for that and being ready for that, but also the other areas of her game that people might underestimate or overestimate.”
Over the course of her career, Budd has faced a who’s who of opponents, including Amanda Nunes, Germaine de Randamie, Ronda Rousey and Cristiane Justino. Soon enough, Pacheco will be added to that list.
“I’ve been in there with a lot of tough girls, a lot of greats,” Budd said. “I can’t wait to go in there and do what I’m gonna do on Friday night.”
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