UFC 229 results: Aspen Ladd rolls over Tonya Evinger

Tonya Evinger has a well-earned reputation as one of the toughest pound-for-pound fighters in mixed martial arts, regardless of gender. The former Invicta bantamweight champion has a reputation for tenacity going all the way back to the days before Gina Carano helped put women’s MMA on the map.

Which makes Aspen Ladd’s one-sided victory over Evinger at UFC 229 all the more impressive. The 23-year-old Northern Californian put on a show against Evinger on Saturday night, overwhelming her veteran foe for a TKO victory in a 135-pound matchup.

The time of the stoppage was 3:26 of the opening round at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas as the unbeaten Ladd earned a win via finish for the sixth time in her seven career victories.

“We were ready when we were in Invicta, she was the champ,” Ladd said of preparing for Evinger. “And I thought ‘okay, I’m going to fight her,’ but it ended up in the UFC.”

Ladd wasted little time getting Evinger to the mat, and from there, began raining right hands down on Evinger, who was on her hands and knee. Evinger did her best to try controlling Ladd’s wrists, but it was an uphill battle, as Ladd continued landing blow after blow. Eventually, Evinger covered up until the onslaught was finally waved off.

Ladd (7-0) is now 2-0 in the UFC. The 37-year-old Evinger (19-7, 1 NC) has dropped two in a row after a 10-fight win streak.