Aspen Ladd's suspension for scary weight cut lifted after showing focus on 'real weight loss'
The California State Athletic Commission lifted its temporary suspension of Aspen Ladd’s bantamweight license after seeing “real weight loss” rather than dehydration, ESPN’s Brett Okamoto reported Friday.
Ladd, who fights at 135 pounds, was suspended after looking as if she might collapse during a weigh-in at UFC Sacramento in July. She fought 24 pounds heavier the following day.
Ladd (8-1) is six weeks out from a scheduled fight against Yana Kunitskaya at UFC Fight Night in Washington, D.C., on Dec. 7.
CSAC lifts Ladd’s suspension
The commission lifted its suspension and removed a note of concern about her fighting weight in the Association of Boxing Commissions and Combative Sports database after she weighed in at 150 pounds on Friday.
Executive director Andy Foster told ESPN:
"We put the note on after her last fight due to the tremendous rehydration she underwent. She went to some professionals after that experience, and I have read the reports. I think we needed to see some real weight loss in her — not from dehydration, but real weight loss. She's been diligent and lived up to her obligations."
In handing down the suspension in August, the commission required her to follow an approved nutrition plan.
Ladd suspended due to scary weigh-in
Ladd, 24, showed up to the weigh-in shaking as she got on the scale and taking small, calculated movements during the photos. It wasn’t the first time it happened.
The record will show Aspen Ladd made weight for #UFCSacramento, but she was in BAD shape stepping on the scale. 😳 pic.twitter.com/ECqr6OGjmG
— MMA Junkie (@MMAjunkie) July 12, 2019
Ladd weighed in at 135 pounds and showed up for the fight against Germaine de Randamie at 159 pounds, a 24-pound difference. She gained nearly 18 percent of her body weight within a day.
In those former days, Ladd told ESPN she would normally weigh around 154 pounds at the six-week-out mark. She instead weighs 150 and said she’ll likely check in lower than ever at bantamweight.
CSAC weight notes not rare
Foster told ESPN notes on weights are not rare, estimating there are currently around 60 athletes with them. Ladd’s likely caught more attention given her high profile.
The average weight gain from weigh-in to fight was 19 pounds at a 2015 event, per CSAC meeting minutes. The California Amateur Mixed Martial Arts Organization began looking into new rules and regulations to address extreme weight-cutting practices
CSAC has adopted new rules and are stricter than other places, Ladd said.
The commission passed a rule allowing it to cancel a fight that night if one of the competitors regained more than 15 percent of his or her body weight.
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