Issue 182
September 2019
Canadian featherweight and former kickboxer Julia Budd looks back at five of her most important fights.
1. Talita Nogueira, Bellator 202
This fight was huge for me. In so many of my fights in the past I felt like I was only showing one area of my game. I feel like I really showed a lot in this fight. I feel like this fight was such a great experience.
I remember being in there and feeling like I wanted the fight to last forever because it was so awesome. It was like, 'Oh, what, its already over!' It was going so good. That was huge for me. I got the TKO victory late in the third round and defended the title again.
2. Marloes Coenen, Bellator 174
That was another huge one for me. It was important for me to come out successful in that one. In kickboxing, I had lost my world title fight to Germaine de Randamie.
In kickboxing I never got to accomplish the goal of becoming a champion. I always saw myself as a champion, so for that to actually happen and for me to do it and come out and dominate, it was like 'OK. I knew I could do this.' I freaking accomplished that goal that for thirteen years I'd wanted so badly.
3. Germaine de Randamie, Strikeforce Challengers: Fodor vs. Terry
Basically, in Strikeforce I got knocked out by Amanda Nunes and then I got a phone call that said 'oh, by the way, we want you to fight Germaine on the next card.' I lost to her in kickboxing. 'Oh, really, OK. What are you trying to do to me?' (laughs).
Then Lance (Gibson) said he was going to call them back and tell them that I was too scared to fight her. I went for a walk and got my head straight. Then I was like, No, I can beat this girl. We trained and fought our asses off and came out with a victory. That was a deciding factor in my career. To get a win against her, to come out on top, it was a huge moment in my career.
4. Gina Carano, Kickboxing
That was definitely a good win for me as I was brought in as the total underdog. I was 1-1 and she was 10-0. I was never out of my area before for a fight. They flew me into Vegas and I was like 'Oh, yeah. They have no idea what is coming for them.' I was so new in the sport but I was so confident. It was a huge win for me in my kickboxing career.
5. Ronda Rousey, Strikeforce Challengers: Britt vs. Sayers
This was a big turning point in my career because after this fight I knew I had to commit completely to improve. That was the fight where I chose to develop my game into the athlete that I am today. It made me realize that if I was going to keep doing this I have to take it seriously. I have to learn the ground game. I have to learn to wrestle and become well rounded.
I was a Muay Thai fighter up to that point. Then I knew I needed to become a complete mixed martial artist. I knew I had to get back in there. I knew I couldn't quit. I still feel like I have so much to accomplish in the sport. I have so much to show. I still feel so hungry and motivated to do more.
At the same time, I am proud of the route that got me here. To get thrown into the deep end right away and become the martial artist I have become today. Yeah, I want to be better and I want to be in the conversation of the best of the best once I retire.
