In the Clinch – Aspen Ladd Steps in for Holly Holm, UFC Vegas 40 – Either UFC president Dana White is in a forgiving mood this week or Aspen Ladd (9-1-0) is rather fortunate. Less than two weeks after missing weight for the third time at bantamweight, she faces Brazilian Norma Dumont in the featherweight main event this Saturday at the UFC Apex.
Perhaps the winner will get Holly Holm, who had to bow out of the fight with a knee injury. A speedy recovery to “The Preachers Daughter.”
At a post-fight press conference Tuesday, White admitted he “broke his own rules” when he signed CageWarriors champion Jake Hadley (who missed weight for his fight), but he disagreed Ladd should get a similar break. I’ll leave that there.
At any rate, Ladd’s new home is featherweight and given the lack of official fighters there, she should improve on her current No. 3 ranking at bantamweight much quicker with a win.
There are no current official UFC rankings at women’s featherweight.
So, an impressive win for either Ladd or opponent Norma Dumont could make the case for a future title shot – but don’t hold your breath.
Hopefully, it should be easier for Ladd to make weight as it has been the primary cause for the only blemish on her record, a 16 second loss to former featherweight champion Germaine de Randamie in July 2019.
Meanwhile, Dumont (6-1-0), 31, has said that she plans to return to bantamweight after the fight. She is coming off a split-decision win over former Invicta FC Featherweight champ Felicia Spencer in May.
It’s a close fight on paper. Ladd gives up an inch in height and reach, but she has faced better competition. Dumont’s only loss is to former Invicta FC featherweight champion Megan Anderson.
Ladd is the favourite. But it starts by making weight on Saturday.
In the Clinch – Aspen Ladd Steps in for Holly Holm, UFC Vegas 40 – More Resources
- Beckett Card Catalog – Aspen Ladd UFC Cards
- Secondary Market Pricing – Aspen Ladd UFC Cards
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- 2020 Topps UFC Knockout Trading Cards Checklist
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