Before Aspen Ladd’s last fight, a 16 second loss to Germaine de Randamie, at UFC on ESPN+ 13 on July 13 in Sacramento, California, Ladd shook as she made weight. On the night of the fight, Ladd’s weight had increased to 159, putting her over the limit two divisions up.
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Dehydration is medically classified as mild, moderate, or severe depending on the percentage of body weight lost. Mild dehydration is said to be present with fluid losses of 5-7%. Moderate dehydration is 8% to 10-11%. Severe dehydration is 11-12% or more of body weight; it requires immediate medical care. Death occurs at a loss of between 15% and 25% of the body water.
Ladd apparently lost 15% of her bodyweight.
In response, California State Athletic Commissioner Executive Director Andy Foster, who has taken the lead in fighting in the culture of extreme weight cutting in MMA, put a temporary suspension on Ladd’s licensure, which had prevented her from competing at 135 pounds in California. Further, Foster added a note of concern regarding Ladd’s weight in the Association of Boxing Commissions and Combative Sports database. Foster has responded in a similar fashion approximately 60 times, but due to Ladd’s high profile, the action received notable attention.
Foster monitored Ladd’s weight, and reports she weighed in at 150 on Friday, and has removed the suspension and database notes.
“We put the note on after her last fight due to the tremendous rehydration she underwent,” said Foster to Brett Okamoto for ESPN. “She went to some professionals after that experience, and I have read the reports. I think we needed to see some real weight loss in her, not from dehydration, but real weight loss. She’s been diligent and lived up to her obligations.”
Ladd’s coach, MMA Gold head trainer Jim West, said CSAC had treated Ladd “fairly” in the process. Ladd fights Yana Kunitskaya at UFC on ESPN 7 on December 7, at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. The fight will be held at bantamweight.
