Julia Budd must get through Dayana Silva before chance to reclaim gold, possible rematch with Cris Cyborg

Julia Budd is on a quest to get back the Bellator womens featherweight championship, and her next step comes at Bellator 257 on April 16, as she welcomes Dayana Silva to the Bellator cage for the first time.

Budd was successful in her last outing, defeatingJessica Miele by unanimous decision at Bellator 244 in August. It was a fairly dominant performance and a needed bounce-back for Budd after losing the title to Cristiane Justino (aka Cris Cyborg) at the start of 2020.

But Budd told FanSided MMA in an exclusive interview that it wasnt the performance she had hoped for against Miele, even though she was thankful to get back in the cage especially with how wild the year 2020 was.

It was great to get back in there and get a win, but obviously I was really looking for the finish in that fight, Budd told FanSided MMA. And so it was like a mix of emotions, but at the same time, I was just so happy to be able to get in there, get a win after losing in January and having the chance to fight twice in 2020.

The loss to Justino was just Budds third loss in professional MMA. Budd started off her career 2-2 in Strikeforce, but two losses came to some of the greatest names womens MMA has ever known: Ronda Rousey and Amanda Nunes.

In fact, between those two losses, Budd scored a victory over Germaine de Randamie.

Budd then went over to Invicta for a spill before ending up in Bellator, and she went on an 11-fight win streak, which included capturing Bellators female 145-pound championship.

But even with her only losses coming against some of female MMAs best of all time, it doesnt provide solace to the feeling of defeat, let alone losing a championship.

Ive been a competitor my entire life and a champion, and so it was definitely hard losing, Budd said. But after kind of watching the fight, correcting a lot of it, getting back in the gym, Im feeling like I am still evolving and getting better as a mixed martial artist. The goal is still there and I feel like Im right there. So it was definitely hard, but Im still here and Im still motivated to get the belt back.

It was mostly technical stuff from my striking and little stuff in my wrestling, ground [game], so it was these little techniques that basically now, being as long as Ive been in the sport, we can look as a team and make the adjustments and correct them. So that feels good to be able to do, but at the same time, Im looking to go out there on April 16 and have an amazing performance and show why I deserve that title shot again.

Before Budd can think of another title shot, and potentially getting revenge on Justino, she must first get through Silva, wholl be making her Bellator debut.

Silva won seven of her first 10 bouts before competing on season two of Dana Whites Contender Series, losing a split decision toGisele Moreira. Silva then went 2-1 in Shooto Brasil, most recently defeatingTayna Lamounier at Shooto Brasil 100 in August.

[I] studied all of her fights. I really respect the team shes coming from, Budd said. Shes a tough girl and I look forward to it. I think we match up great and I look forward to welcoming her.

Getting thrown right away into a fight with the former longtime champ in a promotional debut might be quite the start for Silva, but Budd is certain shell be getting a Silva who performs at her full potential, nerves or not.

I always expect my opponents to be having their best night, Budd said. I never kind of look too far into that becauseI remember when I first got to fight on Strikeforce or Bellator; I was excited more than nervous.

Im just expecting it to be here last night, and Im expecting to have my best night.

And it should be quite the memorable night either way for Budd, as the new Bellator deal with Showtime gives her the chance to compete on the TV platform for the first time since her days with Strikeforce.

Showtime and Strikeforce, which was run by current Bellator CEO Scott Coker, were pivotal players in the early role of womens MMA. At a time where women werent in the UFC and MMA didnt have the mainstream attention its able to get today, the promotion placed a focus and spotlight on womens MMA that no one else was giving.

Now with MMA back on Showtime, Budd feels it can lead to more women giving martial arts, whether MMA or the more traditional martial arts, a try.

I think it just increases basically everything, Budd said. Its just another step in the right direction for women to explore martial arts or mixed martial arts, and its an awesome platform to be fighting on.

The Bellator womens featherweight title will be next on the line at Bellator 259, as Justino defends against Leslie Smith.

Budd is not looking past Silva but is confident shell put out the win and Justino will beat Smith. And Budd would love to get the title back and get revenge on Justino at the same time.

Im fully focused on this fight ahead; never looking past my opponent, Budd said. But yeah, I expect that I go there and make an amazing statement and show why I deserve that spot. Then my performance will do the talking for me.

Read the original post:

Bellator 257: Julia Budd expects win over Dayana Silva will lead to rematch with Cris Cyborg - FanSided