After being released from UFC in September, Aspen Ladd marked her return to action against Julia Budd at the 2022 PFL Championship.
2022 PFL World Championship: Aspen Ladd vs. Julia Budd
Round 1
Ladd goes in with a jab. She’s circling Budd on the outside. Lots of feints from both ladies. Budd with a side kick. Ladd catches her leg and gets a takedown before they roll to the side. Budd has Ladd in a head lock. Ladd gets out and takes Budd’s back. Ladd gets her hips out and gets on top of Budd’s back. Ladd aggressive on top landing big left hands. Budd trying to get up and Ladd is sliding off the top. Budd tries to stand up but Ladd is controlling her left arm. Big right hand from Ladd. Ladd gets a nice sweep and takes side control. Budd changes position and tries to control Ladd’s head with her legs. Ladd finishes the round on top.
Round 2
Ladd establishing her range with the jab. Budd sneaks in a light right hook. Ladd goes for a takedown but Budd pushes her back and gets her off the fence. Ladd changes position to get Budd against the cage. She’s trying to get her down. They continue grappling and strike lightly. Ladd trying for a single leg. They break off and Ladd lands a nice left hand. Budd goes for heavy knee strikes. Ladd with a flurry of punches. Ladd gets back in the clinch.
Round 3
Ladd eats a big 1-2 from Budd. They are both brawling, no kicks. Good slip from Ladd and a counter right. They exchange strikes before Ladd goes for the double leg. Budd with a nice sprawl to defend the takedown. They get in the clinch. Ladd gets out and eats a jab. Budd finds a home for the right hand. They return to exchange strikes inn the middle. Ladd with a nice shot. Budd is getting some nice shots through. A left hook and a jab from Budd hits a blitzing Ladd. Ladd grapples before moving out. Budd keeping her at range with the jab, she’s making good use of it. Ladd goes to grapple again and gets Budd off the cage. They separate and Ladd eats a big right hand. Budd throws a knee up the middle. Ladd goes to grapple again. They move out and return to the middle. Budd lands a left hook. 1-2 from Budd and a hook from Ladd. Swinging away till the final bell in the last 15 seconds.
Official Result: Aspen Ladd defeats Julia Budd via a split decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-29).
Check out the highlights below:
Aspen Ladd gets Julia down and immediately takes the back!
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— PFL (@PFLMMA) November 26, 2022
We head to the 3rd Round of Ladd vs Budd!
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— PFL (@PFLMMA) November 26, 2022
