Aspen Ladd signs with PFL to compete in the 2023 season at featherweight
It didn’t take Aspen Ladd to find a new home after being released by the UFC last week. ESPN’s Brett Okamoto was first to report that the former UFC bantamweight challenger has signed a deal with the PFL and will compete in the 2023 season at featherweight.
After missing weight three times during her run with the promotion, UFC President Dana White said the move to cut Aspen Ladd had to be made but also complimented her on the skillset she has. During her time with the UFC, Ladd went 4-3 in the promotion, having joined them in 2017 and picking up notable wins over Lina Lansberg, Tonya Evinger, Sijara Eubanks, and Yana Kunitskaya.
Currently, the PFL does not have a featherweight class and the only women’s division they have is the 155-pound lightweight division, but the drop down to 145 shouldn’t be difficult for most of the lightweights. The addition of Ladd to the PFL includes yet another UFC veteran after they’ve recently signed former bantamweight contender Marlon Moraes and featherweight challenger, Shane Burgos.
The PFL made the signing of Aspen Ladd official by taking to their social media with a post welcoming her to the promotion.
🚨 OFFICIAL: @TheAspenLadd is PFL bound! pic.twitter.com/8WzWx3fSD5
— PFL (@PFLMMA) October 4, 2022
There is no date or potential opponent set for Ladd but PFL President Ray Sefo did tell ESPN that he was excited about the addition of Ladd and she’ll be a great fit in the 2023 season.
“We’re very excited to bring Aspen to the PFL. She is a talented fighter who has shown she can be one of the top women in the sport and she’ll fit in great for the 2023 season.” (H/T ESPN)
If Aspen Ladd can successfully work her way through the featherweight tournament in 2023, it’ll be interesting to see if the PFL decides to target a matchup between her and reigning lightweight champion, Kayla Harrison.
The undefeated Harrison is set to face Larissa Pacheco for the second time during their time with the PFL. Back in 2019, Harrison defeated Pacheco for the lightweight title and she also won the title in 2021.
