Cris Cyborg TKOs Julia Budd and Takes the Bellator Title

Cris Cyborg became the new Bellator featherweight champion after defeating Julia Budd. She is now officially the only female who had a title in Strikeforce, Invicta, UFC, and Bellator.

After losing her title at the same place, the Forum in Inglewood, CA, Justino (22-2 MMA, 1-0 BMMA) regained the same, only in different organizations. The Brazilian fighter and arguably one of the best ever in the MMA history trashed Julia Budd (13-3 MMA, 7-1 BMMA), who had three successful title defenses over the last almost three years since she won it against Marloes Coenen.

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“I respect Julia. She was a long time undefeated,” Cyborg said following her victory. “I’m really happy. This is a new era. I’m happy to be a Bellator champion.”

It was a confident performance by the Brazilian, who pretty much dominated from the first until the last moments of this contest. Even though she finished the bout much stronger than opening it, Cyborg’s performance was fabulous.

She used various techniques to hurt the champion, who didn’t know what to do in certain situations, and was looking for a way just to save herself from receiving more beating.

The difference between the two fighters was more than obvious, and as time went by, Budd was losing her pace, while on the other side, Cyborg was shifting into a higher gear between the rounds.

As we said, the versatility of her performance was stunning. She would strike Budd’s legs with strong kicks, before moving up to the body where she used hands to hurt her torso, before going for the head.

It is safe to say that Budd never encountered an opponent like Cyborg, and that this fight presents a completely new experience for her.

Late in the third, the two started an exchange where Budd slightly improved the impression from before, although Justino got away from this one as a winner. The Canadian had nothing to lose in the fourth and had to risk to go for it all. Yet, that plan was destined to fail.

Cris Cyborg just TKO’d Julia Budd. Round four. She is the new Bellator women’s featherweight champion.

She is also the first fighter to win a Strikeforce, Invicta, UFC and Bellator title.

— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) January 26, 2020

One burst of the former UFC champion forced the judge in the ring, stopping this fight.

“Thank you for everyone coming here, Cyborg Nation. I say thank you, God, for having this opportunity,” the new champ stated. “He’s amazing. I wish the best for you guys. I feel very happy. I train very hard for this title.”

According to the sources, Cyborg received $250,000 for this fight, while Budd earned $350,000 from it. Still, many are claiming that the Brazilian will get a lot more from other features in the contract, but nobody revealed the exact sum.

After leaving the UFC in a not so pleasant way, Cyborg is looking much better now. Before her contract with the UFC expired, Justino had problems with Dana White, and according to her words, White insulted her on various occasions, along with Joe Rogan.

Meanwhile, the president of the UFC denied such allegations, claiming that he simply didn’t want to extend Cyborg’s contract, which was the true reason why she began making all the fuzz.

Even though she changed organizations, several sources are claiming that Cyborg might get another chance to face Amanda Nunez in a spectacle that would be organized by both the UFC and Bellator. It is a rumor that appeared immediately after the Brazilian split with White’s company.