Joanne Calderwood could not salvage Scottish pride as all three home fighters suffered defeat on UFC’s return to Glasgow.
A sell-out crowd of more than 10,000 packed into the SSE Hydro hoping to cheer Calderwood and compatriots Stevie Ray and Paul Craig to victory.
It was a disappointing result for Joanne Calderwood, right (Craig Watson/PA)
But there was to be no repeat of the promotion’s first visit to the city back in 2015, when Calderwood and Ray both tasted triumph.
Kilmarnock’s Calderwood – ranked number eight on the UFC’s strawweight contenders list – had to forfeit 20 per cent of her purse after failing to make the 115 pound limit.
But her weight advantage did not put off rival Cynthia Calvillo, who now extends her unbeaten record to six straight wins.
THE first fighter with 3 wins in 2017… all before the end of July!! @Cyn_Calvillo #UFCGlasgow pic.twitter.com/LO5BIDwQwa
— UFC (@ufc) July 16, 2017
The American has been tipped for a big future by UFC president Dana White and showed why late in the first round of the co-main event as she dragged Calderwood to the floor before looking to lock in the Scot’s arm.
Calderwood wriggled clear but had her face smeared with blood early in the second as Carvillo connected with a precise left hook.
The Hydro leapt to its feet as both women went for a spinning back fist but it was the home favourite who made the bigger connection. Both acknowledged the other’s attempt with a mid-round high-five.
Two spinning-back fists at THE SAME TIME!!! @Cyn_Calvillo @DrKneevil#UFCGlasgow pic.twitter.com/BLehfZwHfg
— UFC (@ufc) July 16, 2017
But the hostilities resumed in the third and Calderwood was relieved to hear the buzzer as Calvillo dragged her down and went for another rear choke hold.
There seemed to be a disagreement between the fighters at the end and the judges did little to brighten Calderwood’s mood as they declared Calvillo the victor by 30-27, 30-27, 30-28.
More boos as Calvino gets the call. Tough night for the Scots pic.twitter.com/g9hDZn0j36
— Andy Newport (@AndyNewportPA) July 16, 2017
Ray, meanwhile, was looking to boost his hopes of a bumper new UFC contract with a third straight win against Philadelphia’s Paul Felder but ended up suffering the first knock-out of his career.
The Kirkcaldy clubber lasted barely four minutes before the referee called a halt to “Irish Dragon” Felder’s onslaught.
More disappointment for the home crowd. Felder stops Ray midway through R1 after dropping him with knee and then a flurry of elbows pic.twitter.com/pq0SB1f0P7
— Andy Newport (@AndyNewportPA) July 16, 2017
He sent his lightweight opponent to the floor with a vicious knee before ending it with three thudding elbows into Ray’s jaw.
Again good to see @StevenRayMMA back on his feet and no lasting damage pic.twitter.com/gugQO7tS1E
— Andy Newport (@AndyNewportPA) July 16, 2017
The first big clash of the night also saw another local favourite suffer disappointment as former teacher Craig was stopped by Vegas’ Khalil Rountree.
The American light heavyweight seemed able to land his left-hand at will and eventually dropped his Airdrie opponent with a crushing uppercut. When he raced in to rain down a series of hammers there was no other option but to call the fight off.
Good to see @PCraigmma leave ring under his own steam. Was a brutal stoppage pic.twitter.com/kh0frMesra
— Andy Newport (@AndyNewportPA) July 16, 2017
There was Scottish success on the undercard, however, as Edinburgh lightweight Danny Henry got his UFC career off to a winning start after receiving the unanimous nod from the judges after outlasting Swede Daniel Teymur over three rounds for a debut win.
The main event saw Conor McGregor’s gym-mate Gunnar Nelson suffer a surprise defeat as he was knocked out by Argentine welterweight Santiago Ponzinibbio midway through the first round.
OHHHH!!! @SPonzinibbioMMA gets the W in the first!! #UFCGlasgow pic.twitter.com/k3kaBEqEYk
— UFC (@ufc) July 16, 2017
Meanwhile, Welshman Jack Marshman also got the decision in his middleweight war with Canada’s Ryan Janes.
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