Canadian Julia Budd retains Bellator featherweight title with win against Talita Nogueira

THACKERVILLE, Okla. — Canadian Julia (The Jewel) Budd retained her Bellator featherweight title by defeating previously unbeaten Brazilian Talita Nogueira in the main event of Bellator 202 on Friday.

Budd (12-2) won by technical knockout with a third-round stoppage at 4:07 when she took Nogueira (7-1) to the mat and finished her off with an onslaught of punches at WinStar World Casino and Resort in Thackerville, Okla.

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

Nogueira was originally 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.

Also, Michael (Mayday) McDonald (19-4-0) scored a knockout only 58 seconds into the first round against former Bellator bantamweight champion Eduardo (Dudu) Dantas (20-6-0) in the co-main event.

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The Canadian Press