Preview: UFC on ESPN 56 Prelims

Women’s Flyweights

Veronica Hardy (8-4-1, 3-4 UFC) vs. J.J. Aldrich (13-6, 9-5 UFC)

ODDS: Hardy (-135), Aldrich (+114)

Hardy’s successful return last year was a pleasant surprise. Hardy was a particularly raw late-notice signing in 2016, with less than a year as a mixed martial arts professional under her belt, and she struggled handily as a result. She clearly had some athletic potential and her long combat sports background showed through at times, but she couldn’t make an inefficient and inconsistent game work over time. Hardy quietly retired after a 2020 loss to Bea Malecki due to some lingering concussion issues and was only on the greater radar as a broadcaster up until her unexpected return in March 2023. A lot of the same issues remain, particularly in terms of Hardy’s reliance on her athleticism tiring her out over the course of her fights, but she’s a much sharper and thoughtful fighter to the point that she’s now able to get wins over the finish line. Her return victory over Juliana Miller was one-sided throughout, but she did an impressive job of holding on as she faded late against Jamey-Lyn Horth in December. Aldrich makes for a solid next matchup, as the American has had the opposite issue over the course of her career, remaining consistent but struggling to overcome an athletic deficit. Initially a strawweight, Aldrich has filled out nicely in terms of gaining enough strength to hang as a flyweight, but she’s mostly remained in the same spot throughout her career. She’s a perennial tough out but never much of a finisher, leaving her without much of a way to break into a fight against an opponent who can lean on physical gifts. Hardy should get off to a hot start, as it’s easy to see her speed and proclivity for striking from range giving Aldrich some fits, but history suggests she’ll start fading at some point; it’s just essentially a coinflip as to whether that happens early enough for Aldrich to take over and win two out of three rounds. This would be the best win of Hardy’s career by far, so the bet is that Aldrich can make this a tough enough fight to eke this out. The pick is Aldrich via decision.

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Hardy vs. Aldrich