Tag: Aspen Ladd

Aspen Ladd done with bantamweight, details ‘just feeling like I’m dying’ with weight cuts

Aspen Ladd’s bantamweight days are over.

[autotag]Aspen Ladd[/autotag] can’t wait to get going with the next chapter of her fighting career.

Ladd (9-3) has turned the page with the UFC and is in the cusp of beginning a new chapter, fighting under the PFL banner. The former UFC contender was released in late September after missing weight for UFC Fight Night 210, and she’s now set to debut for PFL against Julia Budd at 2022 PFL Championships on Nov. 25 in New York.

But the promotion is not the only change for Ladd. She’s also moving up a division, which is something she’s long been looking for.

“The last couple of years, it’s been my desire to move up,” Ladd said in a PFL media call on Tuesday. “And in the UFC they have that division (women’s featherweight), but they’re really not putting any effort or attention into it. It kind of exists because Amanda has the belt right now, and they want me to move up.

“So yeah, that was kind of like the last straw. I know I can’t. Like, I can barely sometimes make 135 and every single time is bad, so it was more of a health thing. For this last cut, that was the leanest I’ve come in. I started that cut at 142 pounds and after three I just dried up. So during that whole six hours of roasting and not sweating anymore, just feeling like I’m dying, I’m like, ‘I’m never doing this again. I’m done.’ Whatever the course may be, it’s 45 from here on out.”

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Ladd said she was so persistent with bantamweight during her tenure in the UFC because of the lack of opponents and opportunities at women’s featherweight. And even towards the end, featherweight wasn’t even in the cards for her.

“Because that’s the only place where there was opportunity for me, and you fight where you have that,” Ladd said when asked about why she kept trying to cut to bantamweight. “And yeah, at the end they didn’t (let me fight at 145). And honestly, for anybody else that’s currently in that division, start looking at your options. If you can be one of the ones that drops, do it.”

PFL currently has only had regular seasons for women’s lightweight, but the promotion plans to change that for 2023. Women’s featherweight is expected to be a division with a regular season.

Ladd is excited to compete and 145 pounds and not deal with the drastic weight cuts for bantamweight.

“I’m extremely excited that they decided to do that,” Ladd said. “As I said, going into this it’s like, ‘Oh they have a 155 – which is you walk in at whatever you’re walking around that basically.’ But for them to actually have a 145 division, and the fact that they actually want to put effort in, and they want to flush it out, that is exciting.”

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Aspen Ladd’s debut vs. former Bellator champ set for 2022 PFL Championships

Aspen Ladd will make her PFL debut against a former Bellator champion.

[autotag]Aspen Ladd[/autotag] will make her PFL debut against a former Bellator champion next month.

Ladd (9-3) is slated to meet [autotag]Julia Budd[/autotag] (16-4) in a women’s featherweight matchup at the 2022 PFL Championships event on Nov. 25 at Hulu Theater in New York City. The main card airs on pay-per-view.

MMA Junkie confirmed the booking with two people close to the situation Wednesday following an initial report from MMA Mania. The people spoke on the condition of anonymity because the promotion has yet to make an announcement.

Ladd, 27, signed with PFL earlier this month after parting ways with the UFC following a seven-fight tenure. UFC president Dana White said positive things about Ladd following her release, but said her well documented weight-cutting issues as a bantamweight could not be overlooked.

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It’s now a new chapter in Ladd’s career, and she’ll fights one of the more decorated fighters in women’s 145-pound history. Budd, 39, is a former Bellator titleholder who signed with PFL in 2021, but she lost her promotional debut against Kaitlin Young in October 2021. She was scheduled to fight Kayla Harrison in July but was forced to withdraw due to injury.

The latest 2022 PFL Championships lineup now includes:

  • Kayla Harrison vs. Larissa Pacheco – for women’s lightweight championship
  • Bubba Jenkins vs. Brendan Loughnane – for featherweight championship
  • Olivier Aubin-Mercier vs. Stevie Ray – for lightweight championship
  • Sadibou Sy vs. Dilano Taylor – for welterweight championship
  • Omari Akhmedov vs. Rob Wilkinson – for light heavyweight championship
  • Ante Delija vs. Matheus Scheffel – for heavyweight championship
  • Shane Burgos vs. Marlon Moraes
  • Julia Budd vs. Aspen Ladd
  • Biaggio Ali Walsh vs. opponent TBA

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Aspen Ladd vs. Kayla Harrison? Coach Jim West says there have been discussions for potential ‘superfight’

Now that Aspen Ladd has signed with the PFL, Jim West says a superfight with Kayla Harrison could be on the horizon.

Now that [autotag]Aspen Ladd[/autotag] has signed with the PFL, Jim West says a fight with [autotag]Kayla Harrison[/autotag] could be on the horizon.

Just one week after parting ways with the UFC, Ladd (9-3) inked a deal with the PFL and is expected to take part in the 2023 season as a featherweight.

Although two-time PFL champion Harrison (15-0) is a lightweight, she did compete once at 145 pounds under the Invicta banner. All Ladd’s head coach West knows is that Ladd will be competing at 145 pounds.

“So in the conversations with PFL, it was very known to us that they wanted to sign Aspen as part of their launch of that 145-pound division,” West told MMA Junkie Radio. “So Aspen will be competing for the PFL at 145 pounds, not 155 pounds. With that said, there is a lot of language that that fight could happen. But there is a lot of uncertainty, too, because nobody really knows what Kayla is going to do after she most likely wins in November. But yes, that topic was presented and it has been discussed, but Aspen will be a 145-pound fighter for the PFL.”

West said he can see Ladd and Harrison potentially fighting if they meet in the middle.

“It is very possible that those two can meet,” West said. “… PFL, they’re starting their pay-per-view series and all that kind of stuff coming up, so it would be more of one of those superfight type things, and Aspen would absolutely do it. And yes, it has been talked about.

“Aspen will fight Kayla. She has nothing but respect for her. But, of course, why wouldn’t you fight her? Aspen is one of the best grapplers on the planet. So if that’s what it comes down to and they fight, then great. They’re both going to make a lot of money, and I’m sure a lot of people want to see it.”

Harrison faces Larissa Pacheco at the 2022 PFL Championships on Nov. 25 at Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York. As for a fight with Ladd down the line, Harrison appears to be interested (via Twitter).

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Ex-UFC fighter Aspen Ladd signs deal with PFL

Just one week after parting ways with the UFC, Aspen Ladd has a new home.

(Editor’s note: Story updated to reflect revised statement from Ladd, which doesn’t mention new featherweight division.)

[autotag]Aspen Ladd[/autotag] has a new home.

Just one week after parting ways with the UFC, Ladd (9-3) has signed with PFL to compete at women’s featherweight, promotion officials announced Tuesday.

 

“I want to thank the Professional Fighters League for giving me the opportunity to continue my career in the PFL SmartCage,” Ladd said in a statement. “I am excited about the PFL’s sport season format where you win and advance based on talent and merit. I look forward to testing myself against the best women in the world.”

Ladd was released by the UFC after a history of failing to make the non-title bantamweight limit of 136 pounds, which led to numerous fight cancellations. The 27-year-old was booked against Sara McMann at UFC Fight Night 210, but the bout was scrapped after Ladd came in at 138, two pounds over the bantamweight limit. Ladd’s weight cut was stopped by commission officials, and she was subsequently released by the promotion.

Ladd made her featherweight debut against Norma Dumont in the UFC Fight Night 195 main event last October, but lost the fight by unanimous decision. During her almost five-year UFC tenure, Ladd scored finishes of Lina Lansberg, Tonya Evinger and Yana Kunitskaya. She had three fights called off due to weight-related issues during that stretch.

It’s unclear in which division Ladd will compete. Originally, ESPN reported that 2023 would be the first PFL season with a women’s featherweight division, which Ladd would partake in. PFL’s subsequent press release made no mention of a women’s 145-pound division, and Ladd’s prepared statement was changed.

Through three seasons, the only PFL women’s division has been at lightweight, which has been won by Kayla Harrison twice. She’ll go for a third title against Larissa Pacheco on Nov. 25 at the 2022 PFL Championships event in New York.

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Dana White: Aspen Ladd a talented fighter, but UFC release ‘had to happen’

Dana White says the UFC had no choice but to cut Aspen Ladd given her history of missing weight.

LAS VEGAS – [autotag]Dana White[/autotag] says the UFC had no choice but to release [autotag]Aspen Ladd[/autotag].

Ladd (9-3 MMA, 4-3 UFC) was cut by the promotion Tuesday after three fight cancellations caused by her missing weight. The 27-year-old was scheduled to face Sara McMann at UFC Fight Night 210, but the bout was scrapped after Ladd came in at 138 pounds, two pounds over the bantamweight limit.

Ladd’s weight cut was stopped by commission officials. The miss marked the final straw for the UFC.

“We tried to work with her,” White told MMA Junkie and other reporters Tuesday at the UFC Apex. “She’s a great kid. She’s a really nice person. It’s never fun when you have somebody who’s actually talented. She’s a talented fighter, but part of the job is making weight. She’s not made weight so many times, it just had to happen. Not something you want to do, but something that had to be done.”

Ladd had a long history of weight-cutting issues during her almost five-year UFC tenure. In September 2018, she missed weight for her fight with Leslie Smith, which was scrapped after Smith declined to fight an overweight opponent. In July 2019, she shook on the scale in a frightening scene when attempting to make weight against Germaine de Randamie. She ended up hitting the mark but lost by TKO in just 16 seconds.

Weight-cutting issues have taken a toll on Ladd, who started 8-0 as a professional. Ladd departs from the UFC having lost three of her past four, including back-to-back against Norma Dumont and Raquel Pennington.

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UFC cuts ties with Aspen Ladd after latest weight miss

It appears Aspen Ladd’s next fight will be outside the UFC after another mishap on the scale and another canceled fight.

It appears [autotag]Aspen Ladd[/autotag]’s next fight will be outside the UFC.

Ladd, once considered one of the most promising women’s prospects in MMA, no longer is with the UFC in the wake of her most recent issue trying to hit her mark on the scale for the women’s bantamweight division.

Citing UFC officials, MMA Fighting reported the move Tuesday after algorithm-based Twitter account UFC Roster Watch first alerted social media she was removed from the official UFC women’s bantamweight rankings database.

Ladd, 27, has not made an announcement that she’s no longer with the UFC, but a Monday post about one of her dogs on Instagram made a potentially veiled reference to something new in her future when she posted “Here’s to … the next huge milestone in my own life that she will be there for.”

Ladd (9-3 MMA, 4-3 UFC) was set to fight Olympic medalist and former UFC title challenger Sara McMann (13-6 MMA, 7-6 UFC) at UFC Fight Night 210 11 days ago. That matchup was one that was rebooked from a withdrawal by Ladd earlier this summer.

Ladd weighed in at 138 pounds for her fight with McMann in Las Vegas. It was her third UFC weight miss and fourth in her career overall, including a 2016 weight miss under the Invicta FC banner.

According to a UFC official, Ladd’s weight cut for the McMann fight was stopped by commission officials. She made no additional attempts to cut weight after her trip to the scale, and subsequently the bout was canceled.

Ladd has a lengthy history of bad weight cuts and misses. In September 2018, she missed weight and her fight with Leslie Smith was scrapped after Smith declined to fight an overweight opponent.

In July 2019, Ladd had a scary scene while shaking on the scale ahead her fight against Germaine de Randamie. She made weight and was allowed to fight, but suffered a quick TKO loss.

Ladd missed weight in October 2021 for a fight with Macy Chiasson, which then was canceled. She then moved up to featherweight for one fight, which she lost to Norma Dumont, before moving back down to 135 pounds.

She made the bantamweight limit for an April fight with Raquel Pennington, which she lost by unanimous decision, before the most recent incident against McMann. The loss to Pennington gave her three setbacks in four fights after she started her career 8-0, including three straight wins to open her UFC career with two knockouts and two post-fight bonuses.

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Video: Should UFC part ways with Aspen Ladd after third weight miss?

The UFC is facing a conundrum with Aspen Ladd after yet another notable weight miss.

[autotag]Aspen Ladd[/autotag]’s disastrous issues at the scale continued at UFC Fight Night 210 when she missed weight for the third time in her promotional tenure.

Ladd (9-3 MMA, 4-3 UFC) has a well-documented history of poor weight cuts. In September 2018, she missed weight and had a fight with Leslie Smith canceled after Smith declined to fight an overweight opponent. She had a frightening scene of trembling on the scale ahead of a July 2019 bout with Germaine de Randamie, which she ultimately hit the mark for, but suffered a quick TKO loss.

More recently, Ladd missed weight for an October 2021 fight with Macy Chiasson, which was canceled. She then competed at women’s featherweight for one fight – which she lost to Norma Dumont – before moving back down. She made bantamweight for an April fight with Raquel Pennington before this latest incident, which caused a scheduled bout with Sara McMann to be canceled.

In the past, UFC has forced serial weight-missers to either permanently move up a division, or even released them from the promotion entirely. Ladd’s latest issue could lead her to facing both of those harsh realities.

So, how should the UFC handle her?

MMA Junkie’s “Spinning Back Clique” panel of Brian “Goze” Garcia, Mike Bohn and Nolan King discussed the topic with host “Gorgeous” George Garcia. You can watch their conversation in the video above, or check out this week’s full episode below.

Spinning Back Clique: Jose Aldo’s legacy, Aspen Ladd’s UFC future, Paul vs. Silva heats up

MMA Junkie’s weekly “Spinning Back Clique” examines Jose Aldo’s career after retirement, the Jake Paul vs. Anderson Silva pressers and more.

Check out this week’s “Spinning Back Clique,” MMA Junkie’s weekly show that takes a spin through the biggest topics in mixed martial arts.

Our panel of Brian “Goze” Garcia, Mike Bohn and Danny Segura discuss five topics with host “Gorgeous” George Garcia.

  • [autotag]Jose Aldo[/autotag] informed UFC of his retirement, bringing an end to one of the all-time great MMA career. We reflect on Aldo’s legacy and whether he currently stands as the featherweight GOAT.
  • Promotion for the [autotag]Jake Paul[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Anderson Silva[/autotag] boxing match is well underway after the pair got face-to-face at a pair of press conference. How have they done selling the fight and is this a must-watch event on Oct. 29?
  • [autotag]Aspen Ladd[/autotag] missed weight for the third time in her UFC career at UFC Fight Night 210, resulting in her fight with Sara McMann being canceled. Should UFC part ways with her?
  • UFC Hall of Famer [autotag]Georges St-Pierre[/autotag] opened up about two fights that got away from him in his career against Anderson Silva and Khabib Nurmagomedov. How would he have done if both of those bouts came to fruition?
  • Lightweight fan-favorite [autotag]Terrence McKinney[/autotag] has some concerns over the new footwear in the UFC, and he expressed them directly to “The Rock” over social media. We go in-depth on the sentiment behind his message and how it ties into UFC fighter pay.

“Spinning Back Clique” is released each Tuesday on MMA Junkie’s YouTube channel. You can watch the full episode in the video above.

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Sara McMann reacts to Aspen Ladd’s UFC Fight Night 210 weight miss: ‘Missing weight is the equivalent of cheating’

Sara McMann’s UFC Fight Night 210 bout was canceled after Aspen Ladd missed weight – something she doesn’t even think the system should allow as a possibility.

[autotag]Sara McMann[/autotag] will not fight at UFC Fight Night 210 – and it’s not her fault.

At Friday’s official weigh-ins at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, her opponent [autotag]Aspen Ladd[/autotag] missed weight once again, a foul that ultimately led to the cancellation of the bout.

McMann, 41, made weight for what was supposed to be only her second bout since January 2021. Although her return is now further delayed, McMann revealed in an Instagram post the UFC took “very good” care of her. She also advocated for a system in which Ladd’s failed weight cut wouldn’t even be possible.

“What to even say… I’m really disappointed that things went the way they did,” McMann wrote. “I’ve never once missed weight in my career in wrestling or fighting. Missing weight is the equivalent of cheating. You gain such an advantage for every pound that you don’t have to cut. I wish that the promotions and commissions would change the policies so this isn’t even an option at this professional level. That being said, the @ufc took very good care of me for coming in and doing my job like always. I wish I had been able to compete and show the hard work and growth I’ve made since the last fight. I’ll keep sharpening the ax and do some BJJ tournaments in the meantime until my next fight is scheduled. Thanks for everyone who has reached out, you’re the best!!”

https://www.instagram.com/p/CiljsJup9xm/

Ladd has a well-documented history of poor weight cuts. In September 2018, Ladd missed weight and had a fight with Leslie Smith canceled after Smith declined to fight an overweight opponent. She had a frightening scene of trembling on the scale ahead of a July 2019 bout with Germaine de Randamie, which she ultimately hit the mark for, but suffered a quick TKO loss.

More recently, Ladd missed weight for a October 2021 fight with Macy Chiasson, which was canceled. She then competed at women’s featherweight for one fight – which she lost to Norma Dumont – before moving back down. She made bantamweight for an April fight with Raquel Pennington before this latest incident.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 210.

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Aspen Ladd vs. Sara McMann scratched from UFC Fight Night 210 after weight miss

Aspen Ladd’s inability to make weight has caused another one of her fights to be canceled.

[autotag]Aspen Ladd[/autotag]’s inability to make weight has caused another one of her fights to be canceled.

Ladd (9-3 MMA, 4-3 UFC) came in two pounds heavy for her scheduled women’s bantamweight bout with [autotag]Sara McMann[/autotag] (13-6 MMA, 7-6 UFC) at UFC Fight Night 210 on Saturday at the UFC Apex, and as a result the bout has been scrapped.

UFC officials announced the news following Friday’s UFC Fight Night 210 official weigh-in session.

It’s a bad look for Ladd, who has a well-documented history of poor weight cuts. In September 2018, Ladd missed weight and had a fight with Leslie Smith canceled after Smith declined to fight an overweight opponent. She had a frightening scene of trembling on the scale ahead of a July 2019 bout with Germaine de Randamie, which she ultimately hit the mark for, but suffered a quick TKO loss.

More recently, Ladd missed weight for a October 2021 fight with Macy Chiasson, which was canceled. She then competed at women’s featherweight for one fight – which she lost to Norma Dumont – before moving back down. She made women’s bantamweight for an April fight with Raquel Pennington before this latest incident.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 210.

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