Top featherweight contender Julia “The Jewel” Budd picked up her sixth straight victory in featured action tonight at Bellator 146: “Kato vs Manhoef” in Thackerville, Oklahoma. Budd earned a Unanimous Decision win over the previously unbeaten Roberta “Crusher” Paim Rovel in a one-sided bout.

Tonight’s victory could potentially vault Budd into a future showdown against Marloes “Rumina” Coenen for the inaugural Bellator women’s featherweight title. In other action tonight, Arlene “Angerfist” Blencowe narrowly edged out Gabrielle “Gabanator” Holloway by Split Decision after three close rounds.

Budd (8-2-0) secured a clinch early in the opening round and landed knees to the body while pinning Paim (4-1-0) against the fence. Paim reversed and tried for a takedown, but Budd easily defended and she continued to throw knees in close as the round progressed. Budd opened round two with a front kick to the face and the fighters resumed clinching against the cage. Knees were exchanged and Paim briefly took Budd down, but Budd quickly stood and the fighters traded more knees in the clinch.

Paim scored with a flurry of lunging punches in the final round and Budd responded by clinching. She took Paim down into half-guard and landed punches from the top. Late in the fight, Budd tried to pass to mount, but Paim countered with a toe hold before the bell.

Budd’s dominance in the clinch was enough to earn her a commanding victory with scores of 30-26 and 30-27 twice. She is 2-0 inside the Bellator cage and has expressed an interest in facing Coenen in a Bellator championship fight.

Winner: Julia Budd by Unanimous Decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-27) after three rounds. She improves to 8-2-0.

Blencowe (7-5-0) pressed the action with punches early in her featherweight clash against Holloway (5-4-0), who countered with leg kicks while circling away. The fighters battled for position against the cage and Blencowe scored with a series of knees. She reversed a takedown, but Holloway secured a sweep into top position. She landed short punches and elbows until Blencowe used the cage to get back to her feet, and Blencowe flurried with punches before the bell.

Holloway caught a kick and took Blencowe down into mount in round two. She remained active with elbows from the top until Blencowe swept into her guard. Holloway countered Blencowe’s punches by working for an armbar. Blencowe kicked at Holloway’s legs and backed away, but Holloway stood and promptly took her down again. The fighters were stood up and Blencowe tagged Holloway with a nice one-two, then threatened with a late triangle choke attempt.

Blencowe fought off a takedown attempt in the final round and punished Holloway with knees. Holloway eventually dragged her down, but Blencowe scrambled up against the fence. Another takedown from Holloway led to an arm-triangle choke attempt from mount, but Blencowe powered out and landed an illegal knee in a scramble. She was aggressive with her strikes after the fight resumed and stuffed a takedown, then took Holloway’s back and transitioned to an armbar.

One judge preferred Holloway’s takedowns and ground control and scored the fight 29-28 in her favour. The remaining two both had it 29-28 for Blencowe, who eked out a narrow Split Decision win. The victory got her back on track after her four-fight winning streak was snapped by Coenen in August.

Winner: Arlene Blencowe by Split Decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-29) after three rounds. She improves to 7-5-0.

(Photo Credit: Bellator)