ARLINGTON, Texas – Julia Budd believes she’s got an edge over the rest of the competition in the PFL.
The former Bellator champion and Invicta FC and Strikeforce competitor is confident in her skillset, but more importantly, she’s confident in what she’s learned throughout her 12-year career as she prepares to kick off the 2022 PFL women’s lightweight season.
Budd (16-3) takes on Genah Fabian on the preliminary card of Friday’s 2022 PLF 3 event. The bout marks the first time Budd, who signed with the promotion and debuted last October, will compete in the regular season. Budd, 38, is tied with Vanessa Melo at 19 for the most fights on the 2022 PFL women’s roster. There’s no doubt Budd is among the most experienced fighters. And she feels that will give her a big advantage throughout the season.
“I think my experience is what I bring to the table,” Budd said at 2022 PFL 3 media day on Wednesday. “All these learning experiences throughout the way, you know, the things that don’t break you, make you stronger.
“Having that mentality, knowing who I am. It’s facing yourself at the end of the day. I think that with my skill and experience in the sport, that’s one thing: I know I’ve done it. I don’t know about the other girls. I’ve had to look at myself and start back after big loses and losing my belt against Cyborg and kind of like decide, ‘Do I still want this?’ I’ve had to ask those questions, and I’ve answer those questions. I’m hungrier than ever.”
Budd gives credit to all her opponents and is careful to not overlook anyone on the roster. But despite her efforts to stay grounded, Budd has to give herself credit for what she’s been through, as most of her career has developed on the biggest stages for women’s MMA.
“I don’t want to take away from what I know I bring to the table, you know,” Budd said. “Sometimes in the past, I would not give myself that credit, and I know what I bring to the table. That experience has made me better as a mixed martial artist, as a person, and just me with my confidence. I do think that’s going to be a big difference between me and the rest of the division.”
