Aspen Ladd’s UFC career continues to be hampered by her weight-cutting issues, with her fight against Sara McMann at UFC Fight Night 210 tonight having now been scrapped after she came in 2lbs over the limit for the bantamweight fight.
This is the latest in a string of weight-cut mishaps for the 27-year-old Ladd, who first had an issue before she even joined the UFC when she came in 2.1lbs overweight for a fight with Jessica Hoy in the Invicta FC promotion back in 2016.
Then in 2018, Ladd was scheduled to fight Leslie Smith in her third UFC fight, but she weighed in 1.8lbs over the 136lb limit and her opponent subsequently refused to fight her at a catchweight, leading to the bout being scrapped.
Worse was to come over a year later at weigh-ins day for a fight against Germaine de Randamie when she alarmed onlookers by appearing unsteady on her feet and being unable to lift her hands above her head without trembling and almost losing her balance.
On that occasion she did actually make weight after 10 minutes of trying, but was then KO’d in just 16 seconds on fight night.
Then there was a fight against Macy Chiasson last year where Ladd came in 1lb overweight and was then pulled from the event due to health concern, and now Ladd now has the dubious distinction of having had three fights cancelled due to weight-related issues after yesterday’s mishap.
Meanwhile, her opponent McMann has voiced her frustration at the fight being cancelled on such short notice after she herself successfully made weight.
“What to even say… I’m really disappointed that things went the way they did,” McMann wrote on Instagram. “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!!”
