PFL MMA Sign Ex-Bellator Featherweight Champion Julia Budd To Multi-Fight Deal

Mandatory Credit: Bellator MMA

The PFL (Professional Fighters League) have confirmed the signing of former undisputed Bellator MMA featherweight champion, Julia 'The Jewel' Budd to a multi-fight deal -- with the Canadian snapping her six-year stint under the Scott Coker-led banner.

Budd, who is in the midst of a two-fight winning spree, becomes the latest high-profile acquisition by the promotion, headed up by CEO, Peter Murray, who confirmed the signing at a press conference this Wednesday night. 

The Roberts Creek, British Columbia native is expected to make her promotional bow under the PFL banner on October 27., taking on fellow Invicta FC alum, Katilin Young in a lightweight bout -- and is set to compete in next year's regular season with the organization.

A former undisputed Bellator featherweight champion, Budd dropped the title back at Bellator 238 in January of last year, suffering an eventual fourth round knockout loss to former UFC, Invicta FC, and Strikeforce champion, Cris Cyborg.

In the time since, Budd managed to return to the winner's enclosure back in August at Bellator 244 with a unanimous decision victory over Jessica Miele, before besting Dayana Silva with a close split judging triumph at Bellator 257 in April of this year.

15-3 as a professional mixed martial artist, Budd clinched the inaugural Bellator featherweight title back in March 2017, stopping decorated Dutch veteran, Marloes Coenen with a fourth round knockout win. Budd would go on to lodge three consecutive successful title defenses -- defeating Arlene Blencowe, Talita Nogueira, and Olga Rubin prior to her defeat to first-ballot Hall of Famer, Cyborg. 

With her victory over the aforenoted, Silva in April, Budd completed her contractual obligations with the promotion, before flirting with the possibility of testing free agency, including a potential transition to the UFC in a bid to rematch two-weight champion, Amanda Nunes.

Of interest, lightweight phenom, Kayla Harrison explained prior to her tournament semi-final victory over Genah Fabian back in August, that in order for the promotion to keep her around, they would need to pay her a significant sum of money in order to force her to pump the brakes on a speculated move to the UFC, or bring in an influx of new talent into the division.