UFC 257 results: Joanne Calderwood wins clinch war over Jessica Eye

The UFC 257 PPV main card just got a grueling war between the promotion’s #7 ranked flyweight, Joanne Calderwood, and the #6 rated, Jessica Eye. A lot of this match took place on the inside, with Calderwood landing quality knees in the clinch while avoiding the takedown attempts. When the dust settled, it was Calderwood who walked away with the unanimous nod. Joanne was slated for a title shot with Valentina Shevchenko, and perhaps after this solid showing that matchup will get rebooked.

This fight instantly went to the clinch. Calderwood looked to work her knees while Eye was trying to grapple. Eye would press Calderwood against the fence and flurry upon the exit. Calderwood landed solid knees and elbows in the clinch, but couldn’t avoid getting shoved against the cage. The knees of Calderwood discouraged Eye from wanting to fight on the inside.

Calderwood got off to a strong start in the second round. She was tagging Eye with some clean punches and even a front kick to the face. When a takedown presented itself, Calderwood seized the moment but immediately stood back up into her world. She was working over Eye. The end of the round saw Eye snag a takedown, bit did nothing with it before the bell.

The final round saw Eye pressing Calderwood against the fence, trying her best to achieve a takedown. Calderwood was stuck against the chain-link, but at least she wasn’t on the ground. The referee broke apart the fighters and they quickly clinched up, with Calderwood striking in the clinch and Eye striking on the break. The knees of Calderwood really had Eye trying to escape into open space.

Joanne Calderwood def. Jessica Eye by unanimous decision (30-27 x2, 29-28): Flyweight