Holm vs. Ladd off
The planned bantamweight bout between Holly Holm and Aspen Ladd for UFC 235 next month is not happening. This is according to Dana White at yesterday’s UFC 235 press conference. Both women were noticeably absent from the press conference and when asked about their status for the card, White said the fight was “not going to happen” and the UFC was “working on another fight for both of them.”
This revelation came as news to Ladd who said that she found out about the canceled fight at the same time as everyone else.
“I signed to fight Holly Holm on 12/27/18,” Ladd wrote on Instagram. “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.”
ESPN’s Brett Okamoto reported that the fight was canceled due to “contract negotiations” between Holm and UFC. What exactly is being negotiated is the big question.
The scrapping of the fight has led to speculation that Holm may be matched up with current UFC bantamweight and featherweight champion Amanda Nunes. While Nunes didn’t confirm as much, she did put out an anonymous tweet hinting that something may be in the works.
https://twitter.com/Amanda_Leoa/status/1091161731999637505
‘Insane’
As part of the punishments doled out to Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor earlier this week, the Nevada Athletic Commission also suggested that the language used in pre-fight hype has been problematic and was a contributing factor to the melee that ensued at UFC 229.
At yesterday’s press conference, UFC president Dana White commented on the NAC’s suggestion that fighters be held accountable for what they say leading up to a fight.
“I think it’s crazy,” White said (transcribed by MMAJunkie). “I think it’s insane. I think it’s unconstitutional, first of all. I don’t think you can legally do that. These guys get into a cage and they punch each other in the face, they can knock each other unconscious, they can choke each other, but they can’t say mean things to each other? It’s pretty ridiculous.”
In the case of Nurmagomedov and McGregor, the things McGregor said before the fight most definitely contributed to what happened after the fight. Whether McGregor should be punished for that or if he should not say certain things is up for debate.
Friday Notebook
–The Canadian Museum of History in Ottawa, Ontario has acquired the title belt from Georges St-Pierre’s welterweight title defense against BJ Penn at UFC 94, which took place ten years ago this week. A pair of shorts and gloves from the fight have been donated to the museum as well. The items were acquired in an auction for over $55,000. The items had been in the position of a consignor who says he was one of St-Pierre’s first sponsors.
–Cole Shelton at BJPenn.com is reporting that UFC is planning an event for Ottawa on May 4 to be headlined by Elias Theodorou vs. Derek Brunson. MMATorch has reached out to TDPlace in Ottawa for comment but they did not immediately respond.
-Sarah Frota missed the strawweight limit by seven pounds for her UFC fight Saturday against Livia Renata Souza. Despite the massive miss, the fight will go on with Frota being fined 40% of her purse.
-Ross Pearson vs. Desmond Green is set for UFC Philadelphia on March 30.
In case you missed it
–ROUNDTABLE: Staff predictions for Raphael Assuncao vs. Marlon Moraes
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