UFC in Vegas 40: Norma Dumont vs. Aspen Ladd First Look | UFC Odds, Betting Picks, and Prediction

The UFC returns to the Apex Centre in Vegas for another stacked UFC Fight Night event. Two of the UFC's promising women’s featherweights will square off in the main event. Read on for our complete betting guide taking a first look at Norma Dumont and Aspen Ladd, including updated UFC odds and our free expert UFC betting predictions.

Norma Dumont vs. Aspen Ladd

UFC Women’s Featherweight Main Event Bout

Saturday, October 16, 2021, at the UFC Apex Center

Norma Dumont (6-1-0)

Brazilian-born Norma Dumont has only been an MMA professional since 2016, but before her journey in mixed martial arts, she was a champion in Sanda – a Chinese form of kickboxing.

Following an unblemished 4-0 record obtained on the Brazilian MMA regional scene, the UFC came knocking on Dumont’s door with hopes to increase their talent pool within the heavier weight classes of the women’s divisions in the company.

https://twitter.com/TheAllStarSport/status/1446012509052342273?s=20

Dumont is now 6-1, riding a two-fight win streak, her original opponent in Holly Holm could’ve created a new challenger for Amanda Nunes, but a knee injury caused the former champion in Holm to withdraw.

Whether or not her new opponent Aspen Ladd will create a challenger for Nunes’ title, the division is open for a new number one contender due to its lack of available talent.

Norma Dumont MMA Accomplishments

Six-time Sanda State Champion & National Champion

(visit our Sportsbook Review)

Aspen Ladd (9-1-0)

Aspen Ladd is returning to the octagon following a concerning bantamweight weight-cut from UFC in Vegas 38. Within two weeks, Ladd has obviously accepted her weight cutting issues and will now compete in the 145lb division that should assist her ability to beat the scales.

Ladd, aged just 26-years-old, has been a promising UFC prospect since her promotional debut in 2017. An undefeated record before her arrival to the UFC has been accompanied by an impressive 4-1 record for the UFC. Outside of a surprising knockout loss to Germaine de Randamie, Ladd’s skillset has been unmatchable.

https://twitter.com/UFCEurope/status/1443937493846532097?s=20

A two-year absence would usually be a red flag for most MMA athletes, but at such a young age, it’s no shock to see an extended layoff has taken place outside of an injury. It’s been two long years since we saw her compete, and we can only imagine her skill level has risen – meaning that we should witness a complete version of Ladd this weekend.

Aspen Ladd MMA Accomplishments

UFC Performance of the Night (One time) vs. Tonya EvingerUFC Fight of the Night (One time) vs. Sijara Eubankshttps://twitter.com/ufc/status/1446233879350677506?s=20

Early Prediction & Betting Prediction

How Can Dumont Win?

Dumont’s best work is usually played out in the striking department despite suffering a vicious knockout to Megan Anderson.

Her previous opponent, Felicia Spencer, was attempting every trick in the book to try and take Dumont to the ground. However, the footwork and grappling defensive of the Brazilian allowed her to evade this gameplan.

Dumont put on a striking clinic against Spencer, a game plan that should be followed versus Aspen Ladd. Keeping a distance between Ladd, utilizing her reach advantage, and a kickboxing output will be her path to victory next weekend.

https://twitter.com/MMAjunkie/status/1445963974210621444?s=20

How Can Ladd Win?

In an opposite fashion to Dumont, Ladd’s gameplan is likely to revolve around her key strength – in the top position of a grounded opponent. Ladd has finished multiple fights via her brutal ground and pound offense, and it’s hard not to believe she’ll want to repeat past performances versus a well-rounded kickboxer in Dumont.

With that said, Ladd’s skillset will have evolved since we last saw her two years ago. She could be hiding a new trick up her sleeve in addition to those skills that funded Ladd’s MMA highlight reel.

A UFC Octagon Girl holds up the round number. Tolga Akmen / AFP

Betting Picks

The available odds at Sportsbook Review opened with Aspen Ladd as the slight favorite, and I’d expect the money to continue coming in on that side.

Dumont is still quite the unknown, with just three UFC bouts to her name. And of all the opponents she’s faced in the octagon, it’s Aspen Ladd who could reveal a more diverse set of striking skills to compromise Dumont’s gameplan. 

With that said, laying money on Aspen Ladd who just missed weight two weeks ago and is now faced with another weight cutting scenario is something I want to avoid. I believe both women have the durability to exceed the 10-minute mark, making the over a play I comfortable with. 

UFC Pick:

*The pick reflects the line at the moment the writer made the play, the odds at the beginning of this article show the live line movement. Since the lines might vary, don’t forget to refer back to our live odds.