Joanne Calderwood staying ready for title shot just in case
At UFC 238, Valentina Shevchenko is looking to defend her flyweight title when she takes on Jessica Eye. It will be Shevchenko’s first title defense. It is an important flyweight fight for obvious reasons, but also on the card could very well be the number one contender fight.
That fight is Joanne Calderwood taking on Katlyn Chookagian, but Calderwood is staying ready in case something happens to Eye.
“I saw Dana at the (UFC’s Performance Institute) and he told me that I should be ready, and I said, I’m already ready,” Calderwood said to MMAJunkie. “And I’m going to be hitting that weight – 125, championship weight – and just be training for a five-round fight. Because you just never know, especially in this sport – it’s such a crazy one. So I’m definitely going to be ready.”
That very well mean Calderwood will be the backup fighter in case something happens. And, it makes sense given she is undefeated at flyweight. If the fight does stay intact, it is assumed if Calderwood wins she will be fighting for the belt. But, she knows MMA is a crazy game and isn’t exactly sure.
“The division right now is kind of a bit cluster(expletive),” Calderwood said. “People are leaving, going up and going down and then those people coming up, so right now it’s kind of shallow. So anyone could get in there. But I feel like, for me, this will be my fourth win in the flyweight division, so definitely feel that I’ve earned that in the division and can’t see why not, especially if I go in there and put on a good performance.”
Although Calderwood is worried about her fight, she will obviously be paying attention to the title fight. And, many believe Shevchenko will be able to dominate Eye. But, Calderwood knows Eye has a good chance like anyone else.
“Yeah, everyone’s got a chance,” Calderwood explained. “Honestly, for me, I feel like Valentina is going to take it. But, also, I don’t care who takes it. Obviously, I would fight both of them, but I would want to fight Valentina. I just feel like her style is exciting, it would make a good fight between me and her.”
