'Very disturbing': Fight world in shock after 'troubling' UFC scenes
The UFC community has reacted with shock after the fight between Aspen Ladd and Macy Chaisson in Las Vegas was cancelled after troubling scenes at the weigh-in.
Ladd, 26, initially had difficulty making the 141.5 pound (64kg) weight limit for the women's bantamweight bout.
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The 26-year-old American weighed-in around 2.5kg over the limit.
She later returned for a second attempt to make the limit after clearly undergoing a rigorous weight-cutting routine.
Officials covered Ladd up with a towel and some boards as she stripped to make weight.
However, as officials struggled to read her weight, Ladd held her hands up.
The American was clearly violently shaking before an official jumped to her side as she appeared to stumble.
Top UFC reporter Ariel Helwani addressed the 'troubling' scenes as Ladd later appeared in a tracksuit and looked visibly unwell.
"Aspen Ladd should not fight tomorrow," he wrote.
"That was extremely troubling. Common sense has to prevail here. What in the world."
Aspen Ladd should not fight tomorrow. That was extremely troubling. Common sense has to prevail here. What in the world.
Just wait for the video.— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) October 1, 2021
UFC community shocked at horror weigh-in
Helwani's comments were echoed within the combat community.
Many called for a change to safety protocols when a fighter missed weight.
Aspen Ladd almost fainted when trying to stand on her feet and raise both hands on the scale. (She weighed in at 137). Commission is now checking her condition and if she’s able to fight tomorrow. #UFCVegas38 pic.twitter.com/ycHF3HkPeE
— Carlos Contreras Legaspi (@CCLegaspi) October 1, 2021
I don’t think Aspen Ladd should fight tomorrow. She can’t even hold herself up while lifting her arms.. yikes pic.twitter.com/28UhcCX0TB
— Wardo (@mister_eddiee) October 1, 2021
Bizarre scene right now at #UFCVegas38 weigh-ins. Aspen Ladd has been standing on the scale for 3-4 minutes, looking weak and even shaking at times as they are unable to register her weight.
— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) October 1, 2021
Does Aspen Ladd have to die for her team, the ufc, and athletic commissions to start paying more attention to her weighing in issues and health? https://t.co/Nq6WRyVHRF
— Elias Cepeda (@EliasCepeda) October 1, 2021
Yikes #UFCVegas38 pic.twitter.com/0T0oayaQyd
— Amy Kaplan (@PhotoAmy33) October 1, 2021
The fight was called-off following the weigh-in.
Ladd took to social media after the incident to explain the situation.
“Fight is off. Again. All my fault,” she wrote.
“Straight up started my period 2 days back and made this cut absolutely miserable.
“Did the best I could, hit 137, the scale situation was a mess because the last thing I wanted was to bleed in front of the media.
“The fight wasn’t pulled, my opponent then decided she would rather not go through with it, as is her right. I’m going to get slammed regardless, so let it begin.”
To all those that have believed in me. @ufc @Mickmaynard2 @danawhite @espnmma @seanshelby #bebetter #ufc #wmma pic.twitter.com/XVnbA9apZh
— Aspen Ladd (@TheAspenLadd) October 1, 2021
Aspen Ladd made an Instagram post regarding her botched weight cut and addressing her weigh-in earlier.
It's important to note that it is a lot more difficult for women to cut weight for biological reasons, which Ladd delves into in her post. pic.twitter.com/8KcE1d0bfm— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) October 1, 2021
Ladd took to social media not long after to apologise to her opponent.
Unfortunately, Ladd has had trouble with injuries and making weight in the past.
In 2019, Ladd was shaking during her weigh-in due to the brutal weight-cut.
In 2018, she missed weight by 1kg for her bout with Leslie Smith. The fight was later cancelled.
MMA reporter Aaron Bronsteter pointed out it could be time for Ladd to move up in weight, to the featherweight division, to avoid these huge weight-cuts.
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