Aspen Ladd did not show up earlier tonight (Sat., Oct. 16, 2021) at UFC Vegas 40 live on ESPN+ from inside UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada, and her coaches were not happy.
Some slack should be given to Ladd in her main event loss (read recap here) to Norma Dumont because she was a late filler after Holly Holm went down. Still, Ladd was supposed to fight two weeks ago before a botched weight cut and, presumably, had her ducks in a row for a five-round fight with Dumont.
Unfortunately, Ladd did little to nothing over the course of 25 minutes and it prompted her coaches to question her in the corner. “Please tell me what you’re doing,” her head coach at MMAGOLD, Jim West, pleaded to her between the later rounds. Ladd hadn’t fought since Dec. 2019, but she’s never been the type of fighter to shy away from a fight and not impose her will.
It was strange to say the least.
Check out one of the moments from Ladd’s corner below:
Please tell me what you're doing.#UFCVegas40 pic.twitter.com/nLlmttXcZy
— Jed I. Goodman © (@jedigoodman) October 17, 2021
After the fight, MMA’s best discussed the exchanges between Ladd and her coaches during the most difficult performance of her career. The masses were not happy. Check out the reaction below:
I feel like this guy is coaching for the camera right now
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) October 17, 2021
When Aspen Ladd debuted in the UFC she was filled with aggression and intensity. Remember those screams and those finishes? This is obviously the complete opposite. Kinda feel for her because this has to be in large part mental.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) October 17, 2021
Hey cornermen. Motivate, don’t scold and criticize ♂️
— Lando Vannata (@GroovyLando) October 17, 2021
Ladd getting absolutely scolded in the corner
— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) October 17, 2021
Aspen Ladd’s cornerman just switched Teams and is now coaching Dumont. #ufc
— MMA Roasted (@MMARoasted) October 17, 2021
This is ABUSE, what a douche
— Miesha Tate (@MieshaTate) October 17, 2021
This guy is James Krause when you order from wish
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) October 17, 2021
There’s a fine line between tough love and being too harsh. At first it felt like the former. Obviously he knows what she responds to best. But then it felt uncomfortable to watch. Too much. We didn’t hear any technique being discussed or a game plan. Not ideal. https://t.co/R3SMvnEUaM
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) October 17, 2021
Glad I’m not the only one to see it https://t.co/BKtB5mNL6B
— Miesha Tate (@MieshaTate) October 17, 2021
For complete UFC Vegas 40 results and coverage click here.
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