White: Holm vs. Ladd at UFC 235 is ‘not going to happen’

Holly Holm and Aspen Ladd will not be fighting after all.

Holly Holm and Aspen Ladd will not be fighting at UFC 235 or any other event for that matter. UFC President Dana White made the announcement at Thursday’s UFC 235 pre-fight press conference.

“That fight’s not going to happen,” he told reporters. “That’s why they’re not up here.” White did not elaborate on the reason for the cancellation, but confirmed neither woman will compete at UFC 235 in Las Vegas. Furthermore, the two will not be rescheduled against each other at a later date. “We’re working on another fight for both of them,” stated White.

Holm, 37, would have entered the bout having won two of her last four and with an overall record of 12-4. Ladd, 23, is a perfect 7-0 with back-to-back TKOs of Lina Lansberg and Tony Evinger in her first two UFC fights. MMA reporter Mike Heck reportedly reached out to Ladd’s team and was told, “News to me, seriously.”

Normally, a fight featuring a former champion in Holm and a hot prospect in Ladd would be a major hit to a card. Fortunately for fans and the promotion there is still plenty to be excited for at UFC 235. Jon Jones defends his light-heavyweight title against Anthony Smith in the main event, and a welterweight title clash between Tyron Woodley and Kamaru Usman makes up the co-main event. Ben Askren will make his highly-anticipated UFC debut against “Ruthless” Robbie Lawler and former bantamweight champion Cody Garbrandt squares up with Pedro Munhoz.

UFC 235 takes place in Las Vegas, NV on March 2.