Former Bellator champion Julia Budd has been released from the PFL after dropping out of her fight against Kayla Harrison, with UFC veteran Aspen Ladd now set to take her place at the upcoming PFL Finals card.
Ex-Bellator champion Julia Budd has been released from the PFL. The move comes after Budd dropped out of her upcoming fight against two-time champion Kayla Harrison, which was scheduled to take place at the upcoming PFL Finals card on Nov. 24. With Budd out, UFC veteran Aspen Ladd is set to take on Harrison at a 150-pound catchweight.
PFL CEO Peter Murray confirmed the news on Thursday. “She’s been released,” Murray said about Budd. “That is correct [she is no longer in PFL].” In the initial press release confirming the change in the fight, PFL officials stated Budd “refused to fulfill her contractual obligation” and forced the promotion to scrap the fight with Harrison.
Ladd joined the PFL roster after she was released from the UFC, where she amassed a 4-3 record in seven fights but struggled to make weight while competing at 135 pounds. In the PFL, she made the permanent move up to featherweight and has gone 2-1 thus far, winning a split decision over Budd in her debut.
As for Budd, her run with the PFL comes to an end with a 2-3 record in the promotion that she put together after a long stint with Bellator MMA. Now, she’s once again a free agent following her release from the PFL.