UFC-Gdansk winner Aspen Ladd sees 'a lot to get better at' after TKO in octagon debut

GDANSK, Poland – A TKO win in your UFC debut is no small feat, Aspen Ladd won’t spend too much time patting herself in the back.

“The emotions are on top of the world but already in the back of my mind,” Ladd said following her at UFC Fight Night 118 win over Lina Lansberg. “There’s things I can improve on, there’s a lot to get better at.”

Indeed, Ladd (6-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC) wasn’t without flaws during her display against Lansberg (7-3 MMA, 1-2 UFC) at Ergo Arena in Gdansk, Poland. After struggling to escape her opponent’s grip against the fence in the first round, coming out on top took returning to the second with a plan – and the drive to make it work. (via Twitter)

After securing a takedown and getting the mount, Ladd rained down the punishment until the referee decided it was enough. While it was Ladd who did the work, it certainly didn’t hurt to count on some insightful cornering.

“I came out, started slow, but I could tell she was getting a little bit tired,” Ladd said. “And I was feeling very fresh. As soon as, between rounds, I started listening to my coaches, taking everything they had to say, everything went according to plan.

“So I just need to focus a little bit better and listen to them. As soon as I did, the fight was over.”

Whatever the reasons for Ladd’s slow start, she admits she was nervous ahead of her octagon debut – not that that feeling is anything new.

“If anybody says they’re not nervous when they’re about to fight, they’re lying to you,” Ladd said. “You’re always nervous until the referee says go. Then you forget all about it.”

This was Ladd’s first UFC fight, but it wasn’t her first UFC fight week. Ladd’s octagon debut was supposed to have taken place in July, when she was slated to meet Jessica Eye at The Ultimate Fighter 25 Finale. A case of food poisoning, however, caused Ladd to withdraw from the bout the day it was supposed to happen.

This time, though, she got to do “the fun stuff.” And, as an added bonus, Ladd got to add another first to her list.

“I was extremely excited about (fighting in Poland). I’d never been outside of America,” Ladd said. “I mean, the time difference was something to get used to, as well as the tiny proportions when you get here. Like, our bathtub looks like a bucket. And the beds are about this big.

“But I got used to it. And it’s cool seeing a new place. Architecture and everything here is beautiful. People are nice.”

Ladd’s immediate plan is to return to the gym Monday and start working on things. After that, the ball is in the UFC’s court. But should they need a bantamweight in two weeks, they know who to call.

“I’ll fight absolutely anybody they give me on any day,” Ladd said. “So as soon as the UFC is ready, I’m ready to go.”

To hear from Ladd, check out the video above.

For complete coverage of UFC Fight Night 118, check out the UFC Events section of the site.