Ali Akbar Rosady
Former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) contender Aspen Ladd has officially inked a multi-fight contract with Bare Knuckle Boxing (BKB), the United Kingdom’s premier bare-knuckle promotion. The move signals a definitive shift for Ladd into the increasingly popular bare-knuckle arena, following a successful debut in a different organization late last year.
"I’m excited for this next chapter and the opportunity to compete in BKB," Ladd stated in a press release issued by the promotion. "Bare knuckle boxing brings out a different level of intensity and authenticity, and that’s something that really appeals to me as a fighter. I can’t wait to get started and show BKB fans what I can do inside the Trigon."
Sources familiar with the agreement confirmed to SportsBreakNews.com that Ladd’s deal is for four fights. The specifics of her inaugural bout under the BKB banner, including opponent, date, and weight class, are expected to be announced at a subsequent date. The signing represents a significant acquisition for BKB, adding a well-known name with an established fanbase from mixed martial arts to their growing roster.
Ladd, 29, brings a professional mixed martial arts record of 9 wins and 4 losses into her bare-knuckle career. Her journey through combat sports has been marked by both significant victories and considerable challenges, particularly concerning weight management, which ultimately led to her departure from the UFC.
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Her tenure in the UFC, spanning from 2017 to 2022, saw her compete in seven bouts. Initially making a strong impression in the bantamweight division, Ladd secured notable victories over seasoned competitors such as Tonya Evinger, Sijara Eubanks, and Yana Kunitskaya. Her aggressive, grappling-heavy style and potent ground-and-pound made her a formidable opponent. However, her time in the sport’s leading promotion was also punctuated by setbacks. Her first professional loss came in July 2019 against former UFC bantamweight champion Germaine de Randamie, a fight that ended in a swift 16-second knockout.
The challenges intensified in the latter part of her UFC career. After a win over Macy Chiasson, Ladd suffered back-to-back defeats to Raquel Pennington and Norma Dumont. The bout against Pennington in April 2022 saw Ladd lose via unanimous decision, a fight where she struggled to implement her offensive game. Her final UFC appearance against Norma Dumont in October 2022, fought at featherweight, also resulted in a unanimous decision loss.
Crucially, Ladd’s weight-cutting struggles became a recurring issue. Multiple instances of missing weight, most notably for a scheduled bantamweight clash against Sara McMann in September 2022, led to the fight being canceled and ultimately contributed to her release from the UFC roster. These issues prompted her to move up to the featherweight division in her subsequent professional outings.
Following her UFC departure, Ladd transitioned to the Professional Fighters League (PFL) in late 2022, competing in their women’s featherweight division. In her PFL stint, she compiled a record of 3 wins and 2 losses. Her PFL journey included victories over Julia Budd, Karolina Sobek, and Caitlin Neal, showcasing her ability to rebound and adapt. However, her overall performance in the PFL playoffs did not lead to a championship run, and she concluded her PFL contract without re-signing for another season.
The pivot to bare-knuckle boxing marks a significant stylistic shift for Ladd, who has historically relied heavily on her wrestling and ground game in MMA. However, her powerful striking, often utilized in close quarters, suggests a natural aptitude for the raw, unforgiving nature of bare-knuckle combat. She made an emphatic statement in her bare-knuckle debut at BKFC 84 in November 2023. Fighting for the rival Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) promotion, Ladd secured a first-round knockout victory over Noelle Grandjean. The dominant performance underscored her striking prowess and her immediate comfort within the bare-knuckle ruleset, dispelling any doubts about her ability to adapt to the format.
The decision to sign with BKB, a UK-based promotion, rather than continuing with BKFC, where she had a successful debut, could be attributed to various factors, including contractual terms, fight opportunities, or the specific vision of the BKB organization. BKB, established in 2017, has carved out a niche in the burgeoning bare-knuckle scene, particularly in Europe, and has a reputation for delivering hard-hitting action within its distinctive circular "Trigon" ring. The promotion’s ruleset, while similar to other bare-knuckle organizations, emphasizes pure boxing techniques without the added elements of clinching or dirty boxing seen in some other formats.
Ladd’s signing aligns with a broader trend of mixed martial artists, particularly those with a boxing or striking background, exploring bare-knuckle boxing. The appeal for fighters often includes a fresh challenge, potentially lucrative contracts, and a more direct, less complicated fight structure compared to MMA’s multi-faceted disciplines. Fighters like Mike Perry, Paige VanZant, and Chad Mendes are just a few examples of former MMA stars who have found success and renewed careers in bare-knuckle promotions.
For BKB, acquiring a fighter of Ladd’s caliber and recognition is a strategic move to elevate its profile and attract a wider audience, particularly among North American MMA fans familiar with her UFC and PFL career. Her proven ability to draw interest and her recent bare-knuckle knockout victory position her as a significant asset for the promotion’s women’s divisions.
As Aspen Ladd prepares for her BKB debut, the combat sports world will be keenly watching to see if she can translate her formidable skills and aggressive style into consistent success in this new, unforgiving discipline. Her journey reflects the evolving landscape of professional fighting, where athletes are increasingly seeking diverse avenues to compete and showcase their talents. The coming months will reveal the next chapter in the career of a fighter who has consistently sought challenges, regardless of the platform.
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