Ladd vs. de Randamie set as UFC Sacramento main event

UFC Sacramento has its headlining fight.

Less than two weeks ago, Aspen Ladd was on the prelims of UFC Rochester against fellow contender Sijara Eubanks. After a Fight of the Night performance and another win, Ladd has been elevated to headliner status after previously never appearing on a UFC main card.

The UFC officially announced on Wednesday that the rising women’s bantamweight prospect will take on former women’s featherweight champion Germaine de Randamie on July 13th, at UFC Sacramento. MMAjunkie was the first to report the news.

Ladd (8-0) won a unanimous decision over Eubanks to improve to 2-0 against Sijara, as well as keep her unbeaten record intact. The 24-year-old also holds stoppage victories over former Invicta FC champion Tonya Evinger and Lina Lansberg. Latest UFC rankings have her at #4, so if she beats #1 ranked de Randamie next, it’s very possible that she’ll be pushed towards a title shot next.

De Randamie (8-3) has fought at both 135 and 145 lbs, winning the inaugural UFC women’s 145 lbs title in February 2017 against Holly Holm. “The Iron Lady” was stripped of the title after a refusal to defend her belt against Cris Cyborg. Injuries extended her absence all the way until last November. De Randamie prevailed against former 135 lbs title challenger Raquel Pennington by decision. She’s not lost since a TKO vs. current two-division champ Amanda Nunes in 2013.

UFC Sacramento streams live on ESPN+ and also features the return of Sacramento’s own Urijah Faber, who’s coming out of retirement for a showdown with Ricky Simon on this event.

Oh yes, and here’s Dana White’s response to a fan who’s not very pleased that this is a five-round main event.