Former UFC women’s bantamweight champion Holly Holm will likely make her return to the Octagon against rising youngster Aspen Ladd at UFC 235 on Mar. 2 from Las Vegas, Nevada, per a recent report by UFC.com.
MMAjunkie also confirmed the booking with an anonymous source, citing that the two bantamweights have verbally agreed to fight but that no official agreement has been signed.
The veteran vs the rising star!@HollyHolm meets @AspenLaddMMA at #UFC235 in Las Vegas! pic.twitter.com/p8UAplhboi
— UFC (@ufc) December 21, 2018
Holm, 37, has experienced a fairly unpredictable UFC career following her knockout win over Ronda Rousey back at UFC 193 just over three years ago. After becoming the first fighter to ever defeat (and finish) Rousey, Holm racked off a pedestrian 2-4 record inside of the Octagon, including three title fight loses to the likes of Cris Cyborg, Amanda Nunes, and Germaine de Randamie. “Preacher’s Daughter” is hoping that a victory over Ladd, paired with her recent decision win over former Invicta FC featherweight champion Megan Anderson, will launch her back into the bantamweight title discussion in 2019.
Ladd, 23, has looked incredible since making her Octagon debut in 2017. Finishes over veterans Tonya Evinger and Lina Lansberg have helped push Ladd’s undefeated professional record to 7-0 and has ultimately set her up for this matchup with Holm at UFC 235. It will undoubtedly be the most difficult fight of Ladd’s young career, but a win over Holm could lead to a No. 1 contender’s bout sometime in 2019.
UFC 235 currently has no main event in place, but it will feature the Octagon debut of newly acquired welterweight contender Ben Askren and the potential return of MMA fan favorite Nick Diaz.
For more UFC 235 fight card news click here.