Pat Curran vs. Daniel Weichel, Julia Budd vs. Talita Nogueira slated for Bellator 133

Former Bellator featherweight champion Pat Curran is slated to return to action on Feb. 27, 2015 against Daniel Weichel in the co-main event of Bellator 133, promotional officials announced Monday.

A two-time Bellator champion, Curran (20-6) forfeited his belt for a second time this past Sept. when he dropped a unanimous decision to Patricio Freire in a rematch of the pair’s 2013 meeting. He’ll now look to get back on track against Weichel (34-8), a longtime veteran who captured season 10’s featherweight tournament title with consecutive wins over Scott Cleve, Matt Bessette, and Desmond Green.

Additionally, the night’s main card will see top women’s featherweight prospect Talita Nogueira make her Bellator debut against Julia Budd.

A multiple-time jiu-jitsu world champion, Nogueira (6-0) has finished all six of her fights and most recently submitted Michelle Oliveira last December. She’ll meet her biggest challenge to date in Budd (6-2), a veteran of Strikeforce who racked up a perfect 4-0 record in Invicta FC ever since becoming armbar victim No. 4 at the hands of Ronda Rousey.

“I get more and more excited every time I discuss this card,” Bellator President Scott Coker said in a statement. “With Curran and Weichel, you know you’re going to get a championship-caliber fight, and I’m looking forward to seeing another former Strikeforce fighter in Julia Budd test herself against a very dangerous Talita Nogueira.”

Bellator 133 takes place at the Save Mart Center in Fresno, CA. Former middleweight champion Alexander Schlemenko takes on heavy-hitter Melvin Manhoef in the night’s main event.

Former Bellator featherweight champion Pat Curran is slated to return to action on Feb. 27, 2015 against Daniel Weichel in the co-main event of Bellator 133, promotional officials announced Monday.

A two-time Bellator champion, Curran (20-6) forfeited his belt for a second time this past Sept. when he dropped a unanimous decision to Patricio Freire in a rematch of the pair’s 2013 meeting. He’ll now look to get back on track against Weichel (34-8), a longtime veteran who captured season 10’s featherweight tournament title with consecutive wins over Scott Cleve, Matt Bessette, and Desmond Green.

Additionally, the night’s main card will see top women’s featherweight prospect Talita Nogueira make her Bellator debut against Julia Budd.

A multiple-time jiu-jitsu world champion, Nogueira (6-0) has finished all six of her fights and most recently submitted Michelle Oliveira last December. She’ll meet her biggest challenge to date in Budd (6-2), a veteran of Strikeforce who racked up a perfect 4-0 record in Invicta FC ever since becoming armbar victim No. 4 at the hands of Ronda Rousey.

“I get more and more excited every time I discuss this card,” Bellator President Scott Coker said in a statement. “With Curran and Weichel, you know you’re going to get a championship-caliber fight, and I’m looking forward to seeing another former Strikeforce fighter in Julia Budd test herself against a very dangerous Talita Nogueira.”

Bellator 133 takes place at the Save Mart Center in Fresno, CA. Former middleweight champion Alexander Schlemenko takes on heavy-hitter Melvin Manhoef in the night’s main event.