MMA Preview – Raquel Pennington vs Aspen Ladd at UFC 273
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RAQUEL PENNINGTON VS ASPEN LADD FACTS
When is UFC 273? Sunday 10th April, 2022 - 01:00 start (UK)
Where is UFC 273? VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena, Jacksonville, Florida (US)
Where can I get tickets for UFC 273? Click here to buy tickets for UFC 273
What channel is UFC 273 on? BT Sport 1
Where can I stream UFC 273? BT Sport subscribers can stream the fight online via the BT Sport website
For viewers in the United States, the event will be shown live on ESPN+ and you can sign up for access as part of a Disney Bundle here!
RAQUEL PENNINGTON VS ASPEN LADD LOWDOWN
Raquel Pennington (13-8) steps in for Irene Aldana to prove she still has what it takes to compete for the bantamweight strap. She got completely outclassed by Amanda Nunes (2018) in her title fight and again by Germaine de Randamie six months later. Another former champion, Holly Holm (2020) handed out a further lesson, but Pennington has hung in the ranks with unanimous decisions over Marion Reneau (2020) and Pannie Kianzad (2021) as well as a submission over Macy Chiasson (2021) in her last fight.
Aspen Ladd (9-2) accepts another very tough match-up and it is a huge opportunity to get her career back in the right trajectory. She earnt ‘prospect’ status winning her first three UFC fights in impressive fashion extending her unbeaten run to 8-0. However, she has gone on to lose two from three, getting clapped by de Randamie (2019) and losing a unanimous decision to Norma Dumont (2021) before her TKO win over Yana Kunitskaya (2019).
RAQUEL PENNINGTON VS ASPEN LADD PREDICTION
This is a completely different match-up for Ladd as she was preparing for the explosive striker Aldana. Pennington can also box but prefers to grind out wins leveraging her strength and grappling.
Ladd was out for nearly two years before her last fight recovering from injury. Dumont was another late replacement and Ladd looked rusty and suffered with weight cutting issues forcing that fight to take place at featherweight.
Preparations are not perfect again and Pennington has the ideal skill set to capitalize. She has a wealth of experience at the top level and can shut down Ladd when she wants with her wrestling, tiring Ladd out in the clinch.
Unless Ladd bursts out the gate to unleash beast mode like she did against Kunitskaya, we see Pennington grinding out another decision win.
Prediction: Pennington via Decision - CLICK HERE FOR PARIMATCH'S WELCOME OFFER (BET £5, GET £30 IN BONUSES!)
Value Bet: Pennington via Submission
