The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) veteran Aspen Ladd is set to make her bare-knuckle boxing (BKB) debut against Bianca Daimoni at BKB 58 in Miami, Florida. This highly anticipated card, scheduled for August 29, 2026, at the James L. Knight Center, also features former world champion Yuriorkis Gamboa making his BKB debut against Yesner Talavera. The main event will see BKB Heavyweight World Champion Gustavo Trujillo defend his title against Mark O'Neil.
Ladd, a former UFC star, brings a wealth of experience to the BKB ring. Her peripatetic career has seen her compete in various promotions, including the UFC, Bellator MMA, PFL, and Invicta FC. She has faced some of the top names in the sport, including Kayla Harrison, Raquel Pennington, and Germaine de Randamie, and earned the UFC's 'Fight of the Night' award in 2019. Her relentless, forward-moving style is a testament to her skill and determination.
In her lone BKFC appearance, Ladd scored a first-round knockout, showcasing her adaptability and prowess in the bare-knuckle format. This move to BKB presents an exciting opportunity for fans to witness her unique style in a new context.
Bianca Daimoni, a switch-stance welterweight from Brazil, is Ladd's opponent. Daimoni has a modest 1-1 record in BKB but boasts an 8-4 professional MMA record and is a former AFC featherweight champion. She also has a background in Muay Thai, adding another layer of skill to her resume. However, Daimoni's career took a significant hit in 2020 when she nearly lost her life to COVID-19, resulting in a five-year loss of her fighting prime and the death of her mother.
The card also features a highly anticipated heavyweight bout between Gustavo Trujillo and Mark O'Neil, with Trujillo defending his BKB Heavyweight World Championship. This fight, however, may have to wait until 2027 due to the potential showdown between Trujillo and former BKFC World Heavyweight Champion Mick Terrill. The idea of Terrill traveling to Trujillo's home turf in Florida has been floated, but the logistics and timing of such a fight remain uncertain.
BKB CEO David Tetreault expressed enthusiasm for Ladd's debut, stating, 'Aspen has already shown fight fans what she’s about, and now she gets the chance to do it inside our Trigon for the first time.' He emphasized the high caliber of the entire card, promising a 'can’t-miss fight.'
Ladd herself is eager to showcase her skills, stating, 'I can't wait to make my debut in the Trigon and put on a show for the fans in Miami.' She acknowledges the challenge presented by Daimoni, saying, 'Bianca's tough and I know she's coming to fight, but that's exactly what I signed up for.'
This card promises an exciting blend of experience and fresh talent, with the potential to showcase the growth and evolution of bare-knuckle boxing as a sport. The addition of Ladd, a former UFC star, further elevates the profile of BKB and adds to the excitement of this highly anticipated event.
