Joanne Calderwood Batters Valerie Letourneau In TKO Win
The first ever women’s flyweight tilt in Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) history took place at UFC Fight Night 89. Valerie Letourneau (8-5) and Joanne Calderwood (11-1) went toe-to-toe at the TD Place Arena in Ontario, Canada.
“JoJo” walked away the winner with an emphatic stoppage.
“Trouble” blocked a high kick at the start of the first round. The two weren’t shy to throw leather early. Letourneau had her opponent’s back against the fence and landed a body punch. Calderwood tripped Letourneau to gain top control. “”Trouble” went for an armbar, but it was defended. Letourneau pushed off her opponent and the fight resumed standing. A huge spinning backfist dropped Letourneau, but she survived and returned to her feet. The round ended with the two fighters engaged in the clinch position.
A kick to the body from “JoJo” got the second frame underway. “Trouble” went high with a kick. Calderwood drove her opponent’s back to the cage for a takedown attempt. “JoJo” was able to get Letourneau on her back. Calderwood landed an elbow off the clinch break. “Trouble’s” kick was caught and Calderwood finished her takedown. A spinning back kick to the leg found the mark for “JoJo” as round two came to a close. The fight returned to the center of the Octagon. A huge kick to the body landed for Calderwood, but “JoJo” seemed very late to react.
There was a moment where it appeared Letourneau wanted no more of the onslaught, but referee Jerin Velel assumed it was a wardrobe malfunction. “Trouble” was forced to turn her back in pain off a stinging body kick. “JoJo” dropped her opponent with some punches and the fight was called off.
Final Result: Joanne Calderwood def. Valerie Letourneau via TKO (Strikes) – R3, 2:51
