A bantamweight matchup between Aspen Ladd and Sara McMann is being finalized for a UFC event on June 27.
The UFC intended to head to Austin, Texas, on that date before the coronavirus pandemic put all event locations in limbo. The promotion hopes to determine a new location soon, with Las Vegas the frontrunner pending the Nevada Athletic Commission’s resumption of combat sports.
MMA Junkie confirmed Monday that Ladd (9-1 MMA, 4-1 UFC) and McMann (12-5 MMA, 6-5 UFC) have agreed to fight on the card, according to multiple people with knowledge of the situation. The people requested anonymity because the UFC has yet to make an official announcement.
Ladd had been waiting on a fight against Julianna Pena after the pair were originally booked on a postponed March 28 card, but Pena apparently is not ready to fight after suffering an injury. The 25-year-old Ladd, who is No. 3 in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie MMA women’s bantamweight rankings, is coming off a win over Yana Kunitskaya at UFC on ESPN 7 in December.
No. 14-ranked McMann, meanwhile, will look to continue her success after returning to the octagon from a nearly two-year hiatus. The Olympic wrestling silver medalist and former UFC title challenger gave birth to her second child during her time away from the sport, but returning in January to pick up a win over Lina Lansberg at UFC on ESPN+ 24, snapping a two-fight skid.
The latest lineup for the UFC’s June 27 card include:
- Viviane Araujo vs. Jennifer Maia
- Alexa Grasso vs. Ji Yeon Kim
- Aspen Ladd vs. Sara McMann
Aspen Ladd vs. Sara McMann in the works for UFC's June 27 event