Julia Budd vs. Germaine de Randamie

Standup specialists Julia Budd and Germaine "The Iron Lady" de Randamie threw down in the first televised bout of Showtime's Strikeforce Challengers 16 card.

Budd closes the distance immediately and presses Randamie against the cage, looking to have no interest in the standup with the extremely experienced Dutch kickboxer. Budd lands the takedown into half guard, where Randamie fights for an unlikely arm-in Guillotine for a few moments. Budd quickly mounts and begins her attack with short shots. Budd swings for an armbar but whiffs it and lands in her guard. Randamie backs out of it and Budd follows her up to the feet. Randamie is quickly taken down again, where Budd resumes delivering small punches to the kidneys in the last seconds of the first. A good first round for Julia Budd, who has no intention of striking on the feet. As she stands to move to a neutral corner, significant swelling can be seen under Budd's left eye, despite having appeared to have taken little to no damage in the round.

Budd clinches again early in round two. Randamie briefly grabs the fence to avoid going for a ride, earning her a warning from the referee. Budd is forced to work for half the round against the fence but finally secures the takedown she desired. Randamie, though, quickly reverses position and stands back up, where she begins an assault of knees. Randamie is beginning to score points, but another takedown from Budd restores her control over the fight. The fighters stand for the bell and while Julia Budd has controlled the majority of the clock, she is the more beat up looking fighter and may be the more tired fighter as well.

Budd quickly finds herself in trouble early in round three after a slip lands her on the ground. Randamie, sensing her opportunity, swarms her and begins throwing heavy leather. Randamie then seizes on Budd's neck as Budd looks to roll out. Randamie is throwing hard once again, and Budd can't get started in this final round. They stand and Budd shows true grit by driving Randamie back toward the cage, where she scoops Randamie up and drives her to the canvas. Budd can only throw peppering shots from the guard. The referre stands them after a period of inaction, and Randamie immediately throws a beautiful jumping knee to the face of the approaching Budd. Budd deftly drives Randamie into the canvas, where they ride out the final seconds with Budd once again in top control.

After 15 minutes of action the judges score the bout 29-28 for a Unanimous Decision victory for Julia Budd.