Holly Holm vs. Aspen Ladd In the Works for UFC 235 in March
A women’s bantamweight showdown between former champion Holly Holm and top rising star Aspen Ladd is expected at UFC 235 on March 2 in Las Vegas.
UFC officials announced the news on Friday.
The veteran vs the rising star!@HollyHolm meets @AspenLaddMMA at #UFC235 in Las Vegas! pic.twitter.com/p8UAplhboi
— UFC (@ufc) December 21, 2018
Holm’s manager Lenny Fresquez has stated publicly that the fight isn’t a done deal yet but sources say verbal agreements are in place. Ladd also publicly acknowledged the fight booking following the UFC’s announcement.
Assuming the fight is finalized, Holm would return to the bantamweight division after back-to-back fights at featherweight where she fell to current champion Cris Cyborg and then picked up a dominant win over former Invicta FC champion Megan Anderson.
Holm has long teased that she would like to return to bantamweight in hopes of regaining the title she once held there and it appears that’s where her next fight will take place.
She will have a tough test ahead of her in Ladd, who is widely considered one of the best prospects the women’s bantamweight division has produced in recent years.
Undefeated through her first seven fights, Ladd has picked up wins in her first two bouts in the UFC with TKO’s against both Lina Lansberg and Tonya Evinger.
Now Ladd will get a significant upgrade when it comes to level of competition as she faces a former bantamweight champion in Holm.
UFC 235 takes place on March 2 from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas with a main event for the card still to be determined.
