Aspen Ladd kept her undefeated record intact at UFC Rochester, taking the decision win over Sijara Eubanks in a very entertaining bout.
Aspen Ladd has been steadily rising up the bantamweight rankings with an undefeated 7-0 record. The first five fights in her career were fought in Invicta FC, where she stopped her first four opponents before defeating tonight’s opponent, Sijara Eubanks. The Californian had a delayed UFC debut, falling ill on fight night when she was supposed to fight top contender Jessica Eye. Since then, she has knocked out both Lina Lansberg and Tonya Evinger, with her last fight coming in October.
Sijara Eubanks started out her career at 2-2 with losses to Katlyn Chookagian and the aforementioned Ladd before getting her shot at the women’s flyweight season of The Ultimate Fighter. She excelled on the show, defeating Maia Stevenson, DeAnna Bennett, and Roxanne Modafferi. “Sarj” fell victim to weight complications and was unable to fight in the finale. She went 2-0 in the UFC last year, defeating Lauren Murphy and Modafferi for a second time.
Round 1
Ladd quickly takes the center and the two start exchanging hard shots. Eubanks shoots in on a double leg and picks the undefeated fighter up in the air, and then suddenly slams her down on the mat, hard. Ladd scoots to the cage but eats a huge left hand from the TUF alumni. Ladd is able to work back up to her feet. Eubanks tries to pick up Ladd but can’t get her down. She drops down on a double but gets caught in a really tight standing guillotine choke. Eubanks rolls to her back to defend the choke. She pops her head free but Ladd takes her back.
They both scramble with each fighter briefly getting the top position until they settle with Ladd dangling over the back of Eubanks. The undefeated fighter opens up with some punches. Eubanks gets to her feet but is dragged back to the canvas. She eats a few small shots and then gets back to her feet.
With just 10 seconds left in the round, Eubanks breaks free and rocks Ladd with a huge combination. She takes her down and unloads with some more big shots as the round comes to an end.
The last-second flurry from Eubanks steals her the round.
Cageside Press scored the round 10-9 Eubanks
Round 2
Eubanks pops Ladd with a right hand. She follows with a punch to the body. Ladd presses forward with a punch of her own and the two fighters clinch against the fence. The MMA Gold member throws Eubanks down with a bodylock. The Californian works from side control with knees to the body, and then slides to mount. Eubanks bridges to her stomach while Ladd locks in a rear naked choke. Eubanks defends the choke but has to eat several punches for it. Ladd gets the rear naked choke in once again but somehow Eubanks breaks free from it. Ladd starts to hit her with some big elbows and hammerfists until the round ends.
Big round for Ladd.
Cageside Press scored the round 10-9 Ladd
Round 3
Short hook lands for Eubanks to start the round. Ladd responds with two of her own. They both start to open up with Eubanks landing a big left hook. Ladd presses forward and backs up Eubanks with a 1-2 combo. She is walking Eubanks down but eating several punches for it.
Ladd grabs the plum clinch and lands a knee but gets blasted by a right hand for it. They break after the undefeated fighter hits her with two elbows. Eubanks hits Ladd with a big combo. They both start firing shots. Really good action.
Both fighters are throwing everything they have and both are landing. Ladd backs Eubanks up with a high kick but eats two left hooks. More big shots land for both ladies. This is great action!
Ladd shoots in for a takedown but Eubanks defends it. The California native pushes Eubanks against the fence and hits her with some small knees to the legs. They break the last 10 seconds with both throwing nonstop punches with no defense.
Incredible fight!
Cageside Press scored the round 10-9 and the fight 29-28 for Ladd
"KEEP YOUR SEATBELT ON!" – @BrendanFitzTV@AspenLaddMMA and @SarJnCharge swing until the bell #UFCRochester pic.twitter.com/a8AlNyB1us
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) May 19, 2019
Aspen Ladd def. Sijara Eubanks by Unanimous Decision (30-26, 29-27, 29-28)
