Bellator MMA featherweight Leah McCourt has spoken out about the influence both Julia Budd and Cris Cyborg have had on her journey in MMA ahead of their featherweight title clash tonight.

Leah McCourt is coming off two first-round stoppage wins.

McCourt (3-1-0) took to her Instagram page on Saturday morning to reflect on the ‘the biggest fight in female 145lb history’. She reveals she has been watching Budd and Cyborg fight from before she even begun training in MMA.

“So excited to watch the biggest fight in female 145lb history. I used to watch both Julia Budd and Cris Cyborg before I started fighting. Two pioneers. Now I fight in the same division and same promotion. I remember Caitlin Gilroy showed me Gina Carano vs. Cris Cyborg and it was the first MMA fight I ever seen. Work until your idols become your rivals.” McCourt said.

The 27-year-old is one of the most promising prospects to come out of the organization’s featherweight division in recent years. Also known as ‘The Curse’, McCourt is on a three-fight win streak and coming off two first-round stoppage victories. The Northern Ireland standout returns to the cage at the Bellator Dublin event on February 22 when she takes on Judith Ruis.

Meanwhile, Julia Budd looks to make the fourth defense of her Bellator MMA featherweight title tonight against the promotional newcomer in former UFC, Strikeforce and Invicta FC champ, Cris Cyborg.

‘Bellator 238: Budd vs. Cyborg’ takes place this Saturday January 25, 2020, from The Forum in Inglewood, California, United States. The main card, headlined by Budd vs. Cyborg, will be aired live on DAZN from 10pm EST.

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