Canadian Julia (The Jewel) Budd to defend Bellator title in July

TORONTO – Canadian Julia (The Jewel) Budd will defend her Bellator featherweight title against unbeaten Brazilian Talita Nogueira on July 13 in the main event of Bellator 202 in Thackerville, Okla.

The 34-year-old mixed martial artist from Port Moody, B.C., became Bellator’s inaugural 145-pound women’s champion title in March 2017 when she stopped Dutch veteran Marloes Coenen in the fourth round. Budd (11-2-0) defended her title in December, earning a split decision over Australian Arlene (Angerfist) Blencowe.

Nogueira (7-0-0) was slated to fight Budd at Bellator 133 in October 2016 but had to withdraw due to injury. The 32-year-old former world jiu-jitsu champion submitted American Amanda (the Lady Killer) Bell last time out in August.

The co-main event at WinStar World Casino and Resort pits former Bellator bantamweight champion Eduardo (Dudu) Dantas (20-5-0) against Michael (Mayday) McDonald (18-4-0).