THACKERVILLE, Okla. – Bellator will return to Oklahoma in July, and the women’s featherweight title will be on the line.
Champion Julia Budd (12-2 MMA, 6-0) BMMA) will defend her belt against challenger Olga Rubin (6-0 MMA, 4-0 BMMA) on July 12, the promotion today announced during Bellator 218, which took place at WinStar World Casino & Resort in Thackerville, Okla.
The Budd-Rubin title fight will be at the same venue with a main card on Paramount and DAZN following prelims on MMA Junkie.
Budd started her career 2-2, including a loss to Ronda Rousey in Strikeforce. But since then, she has 10 straight wins. Her six most recent victories have been for Bellator. She won the women’s featherweight title with a fourth-round TKO of Marloes Coenen in March 2017 at Bellator 174.
Later in 2017, she beat Arlene Blencowe by split decision to retain the title at Bellator 189. And in July 2018, Budd stopped Talita Nogueira with a third-round TKO at Bellator 202 to defend the belt – her most recent fight. Her fight against Rubin will be one year to the weekend from the victory over Nogueira, and at the same venue. In fact, Budd has gotten used to fighting at WinStar World Casino – this will be her fourth straight fight at the venue.
The 29-year-old Rubin is unbeaten in her pro career, including four wins under the Bellator banner. She’s been pro a little more than two years, and most recently she has decision wins over Cindy Dandois at Bellator 209 and Iony Razafiarison in February at Bellator 217.
For more on Bellator: Budd vs. Rubin, check out the MMA Rumors section of the site.
