Fans will have to wait a while before they see UFC flyweight champion, Valentina Shevchenko, defend her title. Valentina Shevchenko was scheduled to face Joanne Calderwood for the flyweight championship at UFC 251 on June 6. In an interview with MMAFighting’s podcast EuroBash, Calderwood revealed that the fight will be pushed back and that it’s “Not because of this whole thing(Coronavirus), but something on her end.” MMA Junkie’s Danny Segura reports that Shevchenko suffered an injury per a source with “knowledge of the situation who requested anonymity since the UFC has yet to make an announcement.”
In the interview, Calderwood has a positive attitude despite the fight being postponed. When speaking on the situation, Calderwood said, “Right now, I’m enjoying the one-to-one. I just feel like all this is happening and I’m just going to make the best out of this situation.” Calderwood discussed in the interview that she was looking forward to fighting in Australia, but doesn’t mind if the fight happens in the United States. MMA Junkie reports that Calderwood is hoping to fight Shevchenko in either July or August.
Calderwood is coming off of a split decision win over Andrea Lee at UFC 242 on September 7, 2019. She has always been in the mix for a championship fight and will get her first opportunity in the UFC against Shevchenko. Calderwood has an MMA record of 14-4. Shevchenko will defend her championship for the fourth time and has become a dominant champion. Her last win was a TKO victory against Katlyn Chookagian at UFC 247 on February 8. Shevchenko is on a five-fight win streak and has an MMA record of 19-3.