IN a sporting world fuelled by commercialism, opportunism and, in many cases, blatant financial gain, it should come as little surprise that giving someone a severe scudding can be a rewarding business. After all, Floyd ‘Money’ Mayweather, one of the most flamboyant and successful fighters of the modern era, probably didn’t get his nickname because he was a wizard with the top hot wheeching round a Monopoly board between weigh ins.
No, the 38-year-old’s nickname surely came from the fact that over a decorated career he earned $300million during his time in the ring, making him the highest paid athlete – and celebrity – this year. Not bad work if you can get it. With such wealth comes a penchant for the extravagant, a point that was conveniently articulated yesterday when the Las Vegas resident splashed out $3.5m on a Bugatti Veyron to add to a fleet of vehicles that would make the Thunderbirds blush, including two Ferrari Spiders, a Lamborghini Aventador and a private jet.
Thankfully, there are those in the beating-folk-up business who go about their daily life with a bit more modesty. Just ask Joanne Calderwood. The Scottish mixed martial arts star was the main attraction for many in Glasgow back in July when the Ultimate Fighting Championship – the UFC – came to Glasgow’s SSE Hydro. Around 11,000 fans packed into the venue for what was the first event of its kind in this country to see the 28-year-old, who is fondly referred to by her fans around the globe as JoJo – triumph in a points decision over contender Cortney Casey, a performance that earned her a $50,000 bonus. Cha-ching.
“The one thing I did do was buy a car because I’m now back in Kilmarnock, so I need transport. It wasn’t like a brand new Jaguar or anything like that, it was just a wee Fiat. I didn’t go all out,” explained Calderwood to HeraldSport, recalling the extravagant aftermath of what was, to date, the highlight of her career.
“It’s a funny story, actually. We went to the post-fight press conference which meant we didn’t get home until really late, but my mum and brother were waiting for me at the hotel. They were quite merry and everyone else had a drink in them. But we actually ended up just going to McDonald’s for a burger. I then walked them to their bus then went back to my hotel room and laid there in silence.
“I didn’t go on holiday in the end. I went up to see my sister who was moving house in Fort William, so I helped her and that was my chill out time.”
It is an extraordinarily refreshing portrayal of an athlete that was one of the main catalysts for getting UFC Fight Night 72 to Glasgow in the first place. While she was not the only Scot on the card that evening – Robert Whiteford and Stevie Ray also appeared and won – Calderwood’s status in the sport was a major driving force for the need to welcome Scotland into the fold. The woman who trains in Glasgow’s Griphouse Gym has been exposed for some time to a global audience who have taken her timid and humble approach outside of the octagon to heart as much as her sheer ferocious and ruthless approach inside it.
This appeal, as well as her impressive record of 10 victories from 11 fights, is only one of many reasons that Calderwood finds herself on the headline bout in Las Vegas on December 10 with American strawweight golden girl Paige VanZant, a contest that will see the pair make history as the first female non-title fight to headline an event. It is a moment of significance that is not lost on Ayrshire’s most deadly Fiat driver.
“It’s really, really special and it still doesn’t feel real. Obviously the build up to it will be completely different to what I’m used to,” said Calderwood, who has spent last month in Thailand as the start of her fight camp. “I’m just so grateful to be part of it, especially fighting Paige. I think it will be a really good, exciting match and I’m just really glad to be part of it.
“I think she is a good girl. She’s exciting, has a nice personality and she has a lot of hype behind her.
“I was out in Thailand for a month. I was doing a lot of the same things but the main difference was the weather, it was really hot out there. I trained in the morning, chilled in the afternoon then trained at night. I wanted to go there, work on my basics and just sharpen things up. I had the holiday booked anyway but it has turned into the start of my fight camp.
“Back home I’m lucky in that I don’t have that many responsibilities. Going to Thailand was all about taking me out of my comfort zone. It was a great experience.”
As memorable an experience as it may have been, it will have been nothing compared to the moment savoured by Calderwood as she emerged through a rapturous Glasgow crowd three months ago. “I’m still buzzing from the whole experience,” she said. “I was really, really happy that night and I’m still on such a high from it. It’s hard to explain.
“It meant so much to me to have all that support behind me and hear the crowd roaring me on as I fought, it is a feeling that I will take with me to my grave. It’s such a happy memory."
Tickets to UFC Fight Night: VanZant vs. Calderwood on sale now via Ticketmaster.com. Also watch live on UFC FIGHT PASS
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