Ladd felt singled out by process of CSAC lifting suspension

Aspen Ladd's temporary suspension by the California State Athletic Commission was lifted in October, but the 24-year-old believes she received some extra attention in the clearance process because of her higher profile.

"I think (I was singled out) just based on the fact I'm a little better known than a lot of people," Ladd told theScore. "I think there's about 60 other people on CSAC's list who need to be cleared (to fight) and I'm the one getting the special attention, but it's not a big deal."

Ladd (8-1) was barred from competing at 135 pounds in California and a note of concern about her weight was added to the Association of Boxing Commissions and Combative Sports database following her worrying cut at UFC Sacramento. CSAC executive director Andy Foster withdrew the suspension and removed the note after Ladd tipped the scales at 150 lbs during a monitored weigh-in Oct. 25.

The MMA Gold product said her weight is on point heading into her matchup against Yana Kunitskaya (12-4) on Dec. 7, as she reached 146 lbs at the beginning of November.

"I'm going to try to come in as light as I can," she said.

Asked whether she was doing anything differently in this weight cut, Ladd said that Doug Casebier, her strength and conditioning coach (and also her nutritionist), was "kind of working" with the UFC Performance Institute and noted that she was using a professional meal-prep company as well. "Together, the three of them all working in combination really helps," Ladd said.

UFC D.C. takes place Dec. 7 at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. Former heavyweight title challenger Alistair Overeem faces Jairzinho Rozenstruik in the main event. Watch the full interview with Ladd below and subscribe to theScoreMMA YouTube channel here.