Former UFC Bantamweight Aspen Ladd has signed with the PFL.
PFL Announce Signing of Aspen Ladd
After numerous troubles with the scales, Dana White’s patience ran out. Aspen Ladd was cut from the UFC after failing to make weight for her bout with Sara McMann. It was just another misstep for Ladd, whose struggles with weight management have threatened to derail a promising career that began with eight consecutive wins.
A New Chapter
Signing with the PFL gives the 27-year-old Ladd a fresh start in her young MMA career. It will also allow her to focus on developing her skills and improving as a martial artist in fight camp rather than making weight. The PFL currently only has a women’s 155-pound division, so Ladd should have no issues making weight even when factoring in the PFL’s unique seasonal format, which requires fighters to regularly make weight.
Undefeated two-time champion Kayla Harrison currently rules the 155 division. She looks to make it three times on November 25th with a third victory over Larissa Pacheco. It’s a matchup which proves the division sorely needs fresh blood. If Ladd can hit the ground running, a potential championship matchup against Harrison would be the highest profile in PFL history.
Alternatively, the PFL may look to add a women’s 145-pound division in 2023. It would allow them to be aggressive in pursuing fighters at that weight since the UFC’s featherweight division exists in name only. Ladd would likely be the favourite to win the division if it were to be established.
The PFL has not been shy in signing high-profile UFC veterans in recent weeks. Thiago Santos, Shane Burgos, Marlon Moraes, and now Ladd have all been enticed by the prospect of the $1 million championship prize.
How will Ladd fare in the PFL? Let me know on Twitter @LewisGloverMMA, and let us know in the comments!
Featured image credits to Embed from Getty Images
