It looks like Bellator MMA has an exciting, or at least a pair of exciting women’s featherweight fights in the works.

Julia Budd, the reigning featherweight champion, was recently asked by a fan on her Instagram page if she has anything lined up. “The Jewel” replied with the following:

Can’t say who or when, but yes.

Meanwhile, Talita Nogueira, an undefeated Brazilian prospect who possesses a strong BJJ game, took to her own Instagram page to post a picture of herself signing a contract along with the below caption.

I’m really looking forward to telling you all what’s next! I still can not, I just want to say that I’m very happy and soon, you’ll know!

These posts don’t necessarily confirm that Nogueira will be the next to challenge Budd for the belt, however many fans have been campaigning for Nogueira to get the next title shot for a long time. The fight would certainly make a lot of sense.

Budd (11-2) is undefeated in her last nine fights, earning victories over the likes of Charmaine Tweet, Gabby Holloway, Arlene Blencowe and Roberta Samad. She won the Bellator featherweight title in March 2017 after knocking out Marloes Coenen in the fourth round of their Bellator 174 encounter. The 34-year-old went on to successfully defend the belt this past December, picking up a split decision over Australia’s Arlene Blencowe.

Nogueira (7-0) is a multiple-time BJJ world champion who made the transition to MMA in 2009. She has a 100% finish rate and has finished her last three fights by way of first-round armbar submissions. The 32-year-old made her Bellator MMA debut last August, making easy work of Amanda Bell.

WMMA Featherweight World Rankings

Fight fans, are you excited to see Julia Budd and Talita Nogueira back in action? Who do you think would win if the two face each other? Let us know in the comments section below.

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