The fight has been a long time coming, but Julia Budd is finally facing off against Marloes Coenen in the first ever Bellator women’s featherweight world title fight on March 3 in Oklahoma.
“It feels amazing, I’ve been working so many years towards this goal,” Budd said. “This was my goal when I first began training in martial arts on the Sunshine Coast when I was 15. It was always a goal of mine to be a world champion. It kind of feels surreal a little bit, but I’m just so excited.”
Scott Coker, CEO of Bellator Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), introduced the idea of a 145 lb. featherweight division two years ago.
“He’s always been a strong promoter of women’s MMA,” Budd said. “When he took over he decided they would get the 145 lb. division going and now it’s perfect timing for me and Coenen to fight each other.”
Budd has been scheduled to fight Coenen before, but injuries on both sides have so far prevented the two from squaring off. The build-up has led to some back and forth on Twitter, which Budd said got a little personal, but her sights are set on the title.
“It felt a little bit personal before, but now it’s all business for me,” Budd said. “Winning this fight would be the pinnacle of my career. It’s the mountaintop. It feels like I’ve been working towards this for so many years – it would be a dream fulfilled.”
Budd took down Arlene Blencowe last October in a majority decision win; she’s been riding a seven-win streak since 2012 and has a 9-2 record. Coenen – who hails from the Netherlands – has been fighting with Bellator since 2000 and has an impressive 23-7 record. However, Coenen suffered an upset loss against Alexis Dufresne last May due to a triangle armbar submission.
The 145 lb. championship bout between Coenen and Budd will headline Bellator 174 inside WinStar World Casino and Resort in Thackerville, Okla. The fight will be live on Spike TV on March 3.
“Tune in,” Budd said, “because I’m going to win this world championship.”
