Aspen Ladd
Get to know Aspen Ladd (born March 1, 1995), the American mixed martial artist known for her explosive style, resilience through setbacks, and transition from UFC to PFL and Bellator. Explore her early life, MMA journey, challenges, and impact.
Introduction
Aspen Ladd is an American professional mixed martial artist whose path has been marked by rapid rises, dramatic setbacks, and a determined effort to reinvent herself. Known for her aggression, fast starts, and finishing instincts, she gained prominence in UFC’s bantamweight division, before moving on to compete in Professional Fighters League (PFL) and Bellator. Her story is one of talent, adversity, and the relentless pursuit of a career in one of the toughest sports in the world.
Early Life & Background
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Birth: March 1, 1995, in Folsom, California, U.S.
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Aspen grew up in Pioneer, California, along with two younger brothers and three younger sisters.
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She was homeschooled for much of her childhood, later briefly attending Folsom Lake College, before leaving to focus full time on MMA.
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Prior to MMA, she practiced ballet and long-distance running, which helped build discipline and cardiovascular base. She began training in mixed martial arts around age 14.
Her younger brother Shaylor has also competed in MMA.
MMA Career & Achievements
Amateur Beginnings
Aspen Ladd had a strong amateur run before turning pro. Her amateur record was 8–1, including 6 finishes (knockouts or submissions).
Turning Professional: Invicta FC
She debuted professionally in 2015 under Invicta FC. Some highlights:
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Her debut was against Ana Carolina Vidal at Invicta FC 11, winning via first-round TKO.
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At Invicta FC 16, she moved to bantamweight and defeated Kelly McGill via TKO.
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In Invicta FC 18, she missed weight (2.1 lb over) and fought at catchweight; she still won via TKO in round 2.
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Her last fight with Invicta was a unanimous decision win over Sijara Eubanks at Invicta FC 21.
Through her Invicta tenure, Ladd built a reputation as a rising threat with finishing ability and aggression.
UFC Tenure
After her success in Invicta, Ladd joined UFC, competing in the bantamweight division. Highlights and challenges:
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Her scheduled debut vs Jessica Eye in July 2017 was canceled due to illness.
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Her actual UFC debut was October 22, 2017, vs Lina Länsberg, which she won by TKO in round 2.
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At UFC 229, she defeated Tonya Evinger by first-round TKO, earning a Performance of the Night bonus.
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She had a rematch with Sijara Eubanks in May 2019, winning by unanimous decision. That fight earned a Fight of the Night bonus.
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A major low point was UFC vs Germaine de Randamie (July 2019): Ladd missed a lot of weight in the cut, showing visible distress at weigh-ins. She lost the fight via TKO in just 16 seconds—the fastest defeat in her pro career.
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Following that, she had further fights, but also faced injuries. She had a torn ACL and MCL around 2020, which forced her out of scheduled bouts.
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She also had issues with weight: multiple times she missed bantamweight limits, and eventually, her UFC bantamweight license was suspended by the California State Athletic Commission after she gained 18% of her weight between weigh-ins and fight night.
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By late 2022, after another weight miss leading to fight cancellation, UFC released her.
PFL & Bellator Phase
After her UFC departure, Ladd signed with PFL (Professional Fighters League) to compete in the women’s featherweight (145 lbs) division.
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In her PFL debut (Nov 25, 2022), she faced Julia Budd and won via split decision.
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In the 2023 season, she fought Olena Kolesnyk (lost via majority decision, opponent missed weight) and Karolina Sobek, whom she beat via armbar in round 2.
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Ladd also stepped in to face Kayla Harrison in November 2023 in the PFL Championship; she lost by unanimous decision.
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In May 2024, she made a move to Bellator, facing Ekaterina Shakalova at Bellator Champions Series 2, winning by unanimous decision.
As of that fight, her pro record stands around 12 wins and 5 losses.
Style, Strengths & Challenges
Fighting Style & Skills
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Ladd is known for fast starts and pressure—often overwhelming opponents early in rounds.
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She has finishing power: many wins by TKO/KO, and also some via submission (e.g. armbar vs Sobek).
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She holds a purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
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Her reach is 66 inches.
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She is affiliated with MMAGold team, where she has trained since around 2012.
Challenges & Setbacks
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Weight cutting issues: She has repeatedly struggled to make bantamweight limits. This has caused fight cancellations and disciplinary actions.
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Injuries: The torn ACL/MCL was a major obstacle in her career timeline.
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Rapid losses: The loss to de Randamie in 16 seconds was a psychological and professional blow.
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Shifting divisions: Moving from bantamweight to featherweight and competing in different promotions is a challenging adaptation.
Personal Life & Off the Octagon
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Aspen has been in a long-term relationship with her coach, Jim West.
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She has spoken publicly about the difficulties of weight cutting and its impact on health and performance.
Her resilience—continuing to fight after being released from UFC, navigating injuries and changes in promotion—speaks to her commitment to the sport.
Legacy & Significance
While she is still active, Aspen Ladd’s journey offers lessons and influence:
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A case study in the perilous weight-cut landscape: Her struggles highlight how crucial proper weight management is in MMA.
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Transitioning between promotions: Her move from UFC to PFL, then Bellator, exemplifies how fighters navigate the business and options in MMA.
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Inspiration for comeback narratives: Despite setbacks, she continues to fight and win at high levels.
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Women’s MMA depth: Her presence across bantamweight and featherweight contributes to deepening competition and career pathways for women fighters.
Key Facts & Statistics
| Item | Detail | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full Name | Aspen Ladd | ||||||||
| Born | March 1, 1995 | ||||||||
| Place of Birth | Folsom, California, U.S. | Team | MMAGold | ||||||
| Belt | Purple in BJJ | Professional MMA Debut | 2015 (Invicta FC) | New Affiliations | PFL (women’s featherweight), then Bellator | Pro Record | Approximately 12–5 (as of May 2024) | UFC Bonuses | Performance of the Night (vs Tonya Evinger), Fight of the Night (vs Sijara Eubanks)
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