UFC Scotland – What Can We Expect?

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UFC Scotland 2015!

It was confirmed last month that Scotland would finally be getting a UFC event of its own. It’s been requested by fans and media alike for so many years that it became an in-joke at any European UFC press conferences. There’d always be the token Scot, grabbing the mic and asking UFC president Dana White when there were plans to finally host a show in Scotland. For so long they were fed the same old rhetoric about expansion plans, TV deals and business strategies. But now the date has been set and the Scottish MMA fans are duly excited.

Things really picked up pace when the UFC brought in the 115lbs female division, with Joanne Calderwood seen as one of the frontrunners to get her hands on the prize – the strawweight title. The Muay Thai specialist had won over many fans with performances in Invicta and Cage Warriors and they fully expected her to get the title and drag Zuffa to Glasgow kicking and screaming.

Her time in The Ultimate Fighter didn’t go to plan, although she did put in some good performances, so it wouldn’t be a marquee title fight that forced the UFC’s hand. However, the impression she made was enough that things were kick-started and put into motion. With fervent fans, an ideal arena of 13,000 and recent success hosting the Commonwealth Games, now is better than ever. But who can we expect to see on the card?

joanne calderwood ufc scotland
joanne calderwood ufc scotland

Joanne Calderwood:

Of course Calderwood is the first pick. The 28-year-old striker still has her unbeaten record intact despite a loss on TUF and at 9-0 with four knockouts she’s one of the most exciting female fighters in the world. She has more than 20 Muay Thai fights to her credit and a smooth, efficient style that never fails to impress.

Despite losing to a second round submission to finalist Rose Namajunas, Calderwood still picked up Fight of the Season and almost finished her opponent in round one. “Bad Mofo Jo Jo” has since gone on to impressively defeat Seo Hee Ham at the finale in December, and she’s itching to get back to business before the Scotland show comes around.

She’s been very vocal on the social networks, and presumably that’s because another win might put her in line for a title shot in her hometown. That’s still speculative, but it would be an automatic marketing win for the promotion, the fans, and Calderwood herself. We’ll wait and see on that one, but we definitely expect her to be a part of it.

Robert Whiteford:

Robert Whiteford was the first Scot to sign for the UFC and the first Scot to get a win in the Octagon. The Dinky Ninja judoka has had some injuries since debuting at late notice in October of 2013 and managed just a single fight in 2014. But he’ll have his eyes set on a home fight in the summer. Whiteford has been a part of European Judo’s push to promote their collaboration with the UFC, and he’s getting in favour with the UFC brass for a return. It’d be good to see him active before July but again there’s no confirmation just yet.

Who else?

There are a few other fighters knocking at the door, some louder than others, to get a shot in the UFC. Cage Warriors lightweight champion Steven Ray has been consistently asking to be signed up and this would be a better time than ever. The 16-5 fighter has won four of his last five, including a finish of UFC veteran Curt Warburton last time out. Many years ago we’d have looked to the likes of Paul McVeigh and James Doolan, but both fighters are now concentrating on coaching duties. Top featherweight Graham Turner has won six of his last seven and has plenty of high-level experience.

Outside of Scotland, you could look to other fighters who have a claim to a fight on Glaswegian soil. Jim Alers springs to mind, having defeated Turner in his last fight before signing for the UFC. Under the Cage Warrior banner, Alers made many fans in the UK and that included a main event win over Joni Salovaara in Glasgow. He comes in as 7/4 at the time of writing with betfair when he faces Chas Kelly in his second UFC fight this weekend. But win or lose he could have the right credentials to earn a return battle in somewhat familiar territory. There’d be plenty of support for the Irish, including Bushmills’ Norman Parke and any of the Dublin fighters, such as Pendred, Holohan, Seery or Redmond.

There’s still a lot of time and a busy European UFC schedule coming up. But the Scottish fans are thirsty for action and they’ll lap up everything the UFC throws at them when they finally reach Glasgow.