UFC Fight Night 195: Norma Dumont vs Aspen Ladd Picks, Odds, and Predictions

Aspen Ladd and Norma Dumont fight Saturday in UFC Fight Night 195 at the UFC Apex. Ladd enters this fight with a 9-1 record and has won 67 percent of her fights by knockout. Dumont enters this fight with a 6-1 record and has won 67 percent of her fights by decision.

Ladd has won five of her last six fights and is coming off a December (2019) win over Yana Kunitskaya. Ladd is averaging 5.22 significant strikes per minute, with an accuracy percentage of 55 percent. Ladd is averaging 2.45 takedowns with an accuracy percentage of 75 percent. Ladd is coming off a third round knockout at UFC on ESPN 7 where she landed 85 total strikes and produced two takedowns. Ladd is now 4-1 under the UFC banner and is 17-2 for her career when you throw in her amateur record. However, Ladd is coming off a torn ACL and MCL she suffered in training, which explains the long layoff, and it will be interesting to see how she looks. Ladd also had her bout at UFC Fight Night 193 canceled due to health concerns. Ladd comes from a kickboxing and boxing background, and she has some wrestling experience as well as a purple belt in BJJ. Ladd has been a takedown machine at the UFC level and has shown great grappling and wrestling abilities to gain position on the canvas. Ladd wants to close the distance quickly to get the fight off the feet, and she has serious ground and pound once she gets on top. If Ladd ever becomes more confident fighting standing up, she’s a legit title contender in this division. This will be Ladd’s third career fight in Nevada.

Dumont has won three of her last four fights and is coming off a May win over Felicia Spencer. Dumont is averaging 4.98 significant strikes per minute, with an accuracy percentage of 53 percent. Dumont is averaging 1.79 takedowns with an accuracy percentage of 40 percent. Dumont is coming off a split decision win at UFC Fight Night 188 where she landed 88 total strikes and produced a takedown. Dumont is now 2-1 under the UFC banner and looks for her third win in the last 11 months. Dumont just turned 31 years old, and she’s a black belt in Sanda and brown belt in BJJ. Dumont is at her best on the canvas due to controlling top position well and having a quality gas tank. All six of Dumont’s wins have come by submission or decision. Dumont attempts her takedowns in the clinch and usually is in control once she’s in her comfort zone. The issue with Dumont is her striking, as she’s still not comfortable standing up, doesn’t throw a lot and has issues using her strikes to close the distance. Dumont is still a work in progress to become a balanced fighter. This will be Dumont’s third career fight in Nevada.

There’s a lot of questions with Ladd, as she hasn’t fought since suffering a major injury, and her last bout was canceled due to health concerns. Throw in a long layoff, and it’s hard to back Ladd with great confidence. However, Ladd is the more balanced fighter between the two, as she’s proven herself with her takedowns and ground game, but she’s also the more accurate and powerful striker. Dumont can’t hang with Ladd on the feet, but she’ll also have her hands full if this thing went to the ground.

We’re getting a cheap price. Give me Ladd.