Joanne Calderwood picks up a unanimous decision victory over Jessica Eye
Joanne Calderwood and Jessica Eye fought a big paced fight in which Calderwood out struck Eye on way to a unanimous decision victory.
The first fighter to hold two UFC titles simultaneously is back to headline UFC 257 on Saturday, Jan. 23.
The former UFC lightweight and featherweight king Conor McGregor returns to the octagon in a rematch with the former 155-pound interim champion Dustin Poirier in Abu Dhabi. The former Bellator lightweight title holder Michael Chandler makes his UFC debut against ranked contender Dan Hooker in the co-main event.
Right before the night’s main and co-main events, Jessica Eye and Joanne Calderwood will meet in a clash of two top ten flyweights.
Eye (15-8, 1NC) comes into the fight ranked No. 6 within the division and she’ll look to get back into the win the column after suffering a lopsided unanimous decision loss to Cynthia Calvillo in June. The former title challenger has had problems making weight in the past, but she successfully did so for this fight. Prior to the event, she spoke to MyMMANews about how her days of missing weight are behind her.
Calderwood (14-5) will enter the fight one spot below Eye in the rankings at No. 7. Since 2018 the Scottish fighter has posted a 3-2 record with the losses coming to former title challengers Katlyn Chookagian and Jennifer Maia. Her lone fight in 2020 was a title elimination loss to Maia.
Here’s how their fight went down with a round-by-round breakdown and scoring. For a full list of UFC 257 results, click here.
Round 1
These girls waste no time. They get right into a clinch and start throwing punches.
Eye pushes Calderwood against the cage, but doesn’t do anything with the position.
Following the break of the clinch, Calderwood lands a nice two-punch combo. Moments later, Eye lands a right had, but Calderwood counters with an elbow.
Eye goes to the clinch again and drives Calderwood into the fence. Once they’re there she lands a nice knee.
Halfway point of the round and Calderwood lands a right hand. After eating the shot, Eye once again clinches and drives Calderwood into the fence and she lands two knees from that spot.
Calderwood lands a knee to the body and it breaks the clinch. They return to the center of the octagon and Calderwood lands a kick to body.
Both ladies are landing in a close round.
The fast paced opening round comes to a close. Tough one to score. Eye’s ability to clinch and drive Calderwood into the cage maybe give her the edge in the round. However, Calderwood did a lot of good things and seemed to be the slightly more polished fighter. Close round with a slight edge going to Calderwood.
MyMMANews scores it 10-9 Calderwood
Round 2
Calderwood opens with a kick to the body.
Calderwood is scoring with a lot strikes including one that busted up Eye.
Opening 90 seconds and it’s all Calderwood this round. All her shots are landing and Eye is bruised up.
Eye still coming forward. She tries to clinch again and this time Calderwood comes up with a big knee that lands.
Calderwood has found a grove. Every time Eye tries to throw a jab, Calderwood counters with either a overhand to the face or she kicks to Eye’s body.
Eye is trying to land shots to Calderwood’s body and she is landing but the only problem for her is so is Calderwood.
Eye scores a late takedown, but it won’t matter. Calderwood takes the second round and is possibility up 2-0 on the judges scorecards.
MyMMANews scores it 10-9 Calderwood
Round 3
Eye comes right out charging. She pushes Calderwood into the fence and is looking to get a single leg takedown. Calderwood is defending the attempt nicely as the two remain against the cage for the opening minute of the final round.
The two spend the next still in the clinch against the cage. Eye is trying to mix things up and get a take down, but Calderwood is defending.
The referee breaks the clinch due to a lack of action and the two return to the center. When the action begins, Calderwood lands a right hand.
Eye tries to clinch and once the break Calderwood lands again. Eye then shoots in for a takedown and Calderwood stuffs it.
Clinch again and Calderwood lands a knee and this time she drives Eye back, but then breaks away.
Eye tries again coming in for the clinch. The two exchange shots including a big one from Calderwood that opens up a cut above the eye of Eye.
MyMMANews scores it 10-9 Calderwood
MyMMANews scorecard: 30-27 Calderwood
Official decision: Joanne Calderwood defeats Jessica Eye by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
