Aspen Ladd starts BKB belt quest against Bianca Daimoni at BKB 58

Aspen Ladd will begin her BKB Bare Knuckle Boxing title pursuit against Bianca Daimoni at BKB 58 on August 29 in Miami, Florida. The bout is set for the super lightweight division and marks Ladd’s first appearance for BKB.

Daimoni previously challenged for the BKB welterweight championship, giving Ladd an experienced opponent for her promotional debut. Ladd entered bare-knuckle competition with BKFC last November and has since made the discipline her immediate priority after becoming frustrated by long gaps between potential fights.

The California fighter has competed in MMA for UFC, Bellator and PFL, as well as in bare-knuckle boxing for BKFC. MMA remains her first combat-sports preference and a possible future option, but she considers BKB her base for bare-knuckle competition. Her move was also influenced by the organisation’s support for athletes who pursue boxing opportunities outside their main promotion.

Ladd’s ambition extends beyond winning one championship. She wants to collect belts across multiple BKB weight classes, with the 140-pound division currently the most suitable target. She regards 135 pounds as demanding but manageable in the right circumstances, while 147 pounds would be a more comfortable limit.

Her decision to continue in bare-knuckle boxing followed a positive first experience with the sport. Ladd said the transition from MMA had initially raised concerns about hand injuries and the physical demands of fighting without conventional gloves. Those concerns were eased by specialised preparation and her experience of emerging from her first bout without the problems she had anticipated.

Ladd has also embraced the direct nature of bare-knuckle fighting, where precision is central and there is little room for a cautious approach. Her BKB 58 meeting with Daimoni is the opening step in the belt campaign she has set for herself, with the 140-pound class providing the clearest starting point.