UFC Brooklyn: Joanne Calderwood promises a 'great performance' against debutant Lipski
UFC BROOKLYN - Joanne Calderwood has big plans for 2019, starting with knocking off one of mixed martial arts’ fastest rising stars.
Scotland’s Calderwood returns to the Octagon early on Sunday morning in the UFC Fight Night 143 prelims in Brooklyn, New York.
The Irvine native will be welcomed back to the cage by former KSW women’s flyweight champion Ariane Lipski, one of the brightest up-and-coming prospects in mixed martial arts.
Brazil's Lipski - 11-3 - enters her UFC debut having won her last nine fights on the spin, five of which she's ended by KO or TKO.
Calderwood is relishing the match-up against a fellow Muay Thai practitioner and foresees her experience fighting on the biggest stage in MMA guiding her to victory.
"We both come from a striking background but I know I can offer more of a variety," the Scot said of 24-year-old Lipski. "I’m very creative in the Muay Thai department.
"This is where I’m supposed to be, after Saturday night I’ll be thinking about my next fight.
"I want to be a UFC champion, I think my experience and my discipline will set me apart from her.”
Lipski will be Calderwood's first fight since her submission victory over Kalindra Faria, a win which snapped a two-fight losing streak for the former strawweight contender.
I think my experience and my discipline will set me apart from her
Training camp for the 'Violence Queen' has gone swimmingly for 32-year-old Calderwood, who feels at the peak of her powers.
She said: "Fight camp has gone very well, I got tests done in UFC Performance Institute last week and received great results!
"I’ve really enjoyed sparring throughout fight camp – my training partner is fantastic.
"Everything in my life is about being the best athlete I can be. I’m feeling good.”
A win over the highly-rated Lipski would be the perfect way for Calderwood to kick start 2019 and begin an assault on the women's flyweight title, which is currently in the possession of Valentina Shevchenko.
'Jojo' is well aware of the position she could find herself in if she sees off Lipski and plans on doing so in style.
“It’s the first Fight Night of 2019," she said. "I plan to put on a great performance, I’m always hoping to have an entertaining fight.
"I’m looking forward to it – anything can happen! I’m going in to get my hand raised.”
UFC Fight Night 143 fight card
Henry Cejudo vs TJ Dillashaw (men’s flyweight bout)
Greg Hardy vs Allen Crowder (heavyweight bout)
Gregor Gillespie vs Nancy Medeiros (lightweight bout)
Joseph Benavidez vs Dustin Ortiz (men’s flyweight bout)
Paige VanZant vs Rachael Ostrich (women’s flyweight bout)
Glover Teixeira vs Karl Roberson (light-heavyweight bout)
Prelims
Donald Cerrone vs Alexander Hernandez (lightweight bout)
Joanne Calderwood vs Ariane Lipski (women’s flyweight bout)
Alonzo Minefield vs Vinicius Moreira (light-heavyweight bout)
Mario Bautista vs Corey Sandhagen (men’s bantamweight bout)
Dennis Bermudez vs Te Edwards (lightweight bout)
Belal Muhammed vs Geoff Neal (welterweight bout)
Chance Rencountre vs Kyle Stewart (welterweight bout)