Holly Holm vs. Aspen Ladd Off UFC 235

A highly anticipated women’s bantamweight division bout between former UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion Holly Holm and Aspen Ladd has been pulled from UFC 235.

UFC President Dana White revealed the news during the UFC 235 Press Conference (via MMA Junkie):

“That fight’s not going to happen, that’s why they’re not up here. We’re working on another fight for both of them (not on this card).”

Ladd, who wasn’t notified of the fight cancellation before the press conference, would take to Instagram, blaming Holm for the bout being canned:

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I signed to fight Holly Holm on 12/27/18. I’m ready to go, and am finding out this information, just now, like everyone else. I don’t know why Holly and her team have now backed out. Sorry everyone, this sucks, hopefully I have some good news to share soon. #thisblows #fightsoff #butwhy?

A post shared by Aspen Ladd (@aspenladd) on Jan 31, 2019 at 7:32pm PST

Brett Okamoto of ESPN would get a statement from Holm’s manager in Lenny Fresquez, who claimed the fight was canned due to contract negotiations:

Comment from Holly Holm’s agent Lenny Fresquez, who says today’s UFC 235 fight cancellation is related to ongoing negotiations to extend her contract. pic.twitter.com/GOIrrjwlWq

— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) February 1, 2019

There is no word yet on when either fighter will return to the Octagon.

UFC 235 takes place on Saturday, March 2 from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada with Jon Jones and Anthony Smith headlining. Fightful is providing live coverage of the event, with a post-show podcast to follow.