The acquisition of the PFL by MVP MMA has sparked significant conversation across the sport, particularly among athletes with experience inside the PFL Smart Cage. Among them is Aspen Ladd, who is preparing for her initial appearance under the BKB banner. Following a dominant showing in BKFC, Ladd is slated to enter the Mighty Trigon to face off against past BKB championship contender Bianca Daimoni at the BKB 58 event in Miami on August 29th.
Having fought under the PFL banner on several occasions, Ladd is no stranger to major promotional consolidations. The 31-year-old’s most recent mixed martial arts appearance, at least up to this point, took place under the Bellator MMA brand in May 2024, following the PFL’s buyout of BMMA. Sharing her perspective on the current merger and its potential consequences for the wider MMA landscape, Ladd remarked [via Bare Knuckle Bowker],
“As long as MVP is in charge of operations, I believe this will be highly beneficial. I experienced the Bellator transition firsthand because I was active in the division at that time. Both leagues featured a 145-pound division where I competed. Bellator’s featherweight division was particularly well-established, offering prime opportunities for female competitors in both organizations. Naturally, you’d assume that when the PFL merged these divisions, they would simply absorb the existing talent pool, correct?”
“Instead, they completely mismanaged it. The integration was handled poorly, leaving titleholders sidelined without fights for an extended period. They essentially dismantled the entire weight class, which was incredibly disappointing. While there was initial anticipation, the actual execution was terrible. That said, the organization now has fresh leadership. From my perspective, MVP’s track record with athletes—especially female fighters—is outstanding.”
“They have championed women in combat sports to a degree we haven’t witnessed since Ronda Rousey’s landmark rise in the UFC. I really appreciate how they support female competitors and manage their company overall. Their philosophy seems centered on mutual growth and partnership. So, that’s a positive angle, but there is another side to it.”
“I haven’t had any direct contact or discussions with the PFL’s new ownership group, so I can’t speak to their current approach. Still, regarding this transition, as long as MVP is driving the ship, I see it as a highly promising move.”
Aspen Ladd on MVP MMA-PFL Deal: ‘We’ll See How It Plays Out’
Offering a balanced view of the Professional Fighters League despite the challenges she personally encountered during her tenure there, Ladd added [via Bare Knuckle Bowker],
“Absolutely. When things were running smoothly at PFL, it was a great experience. I genuinely liked the tournament structure and the overall setup. Early on, they did an amazing job. It was only after that initial acquisition that things went downhill. But ultimately, we will have to wait and see how this new chapter unfolds.”
Originally published by BJPENN.COM
