For Joanne Calderwood, the Opponent Doesn’t Matter; She’s on a Championship Mission

So far 2013 is falling right in line with Scottish female flyweight Joanne “Jojo” Calderwood’s first year in fighting; she’s still undefeated and is becoming one of the premier fighters in her weight class.

“I’ve had two fights this year, one in Invicta (against Livia von Plettenberg), which seems like ages ago, and one back home in Glasgow (against Sally Krumdiak), and in both fights I got wins and performed really well,” she said.

“My first one, I went three rounds in Invicta in January and it was pretty much one-sided. The second one I won in the second round with a TKO and that’s even better because I like ending the fight early and not going to the judges. “

Being undefeated (with a record of 6-0) is familiar territory for Calderwood, as is opponent changes. Prior to settling on Norma Rueda Center (2-0) for this Saturday’s Invicta FC 6 event in Kansas City, Calderwood went through two other opponents.

“I just like fighting and the opponent at the end of the day doesn’t really matter,” said Calderwood. “That happens in this sport and it wasn’t the first time it happened to me and it won’t be the last time, so it doesn’t really bother me.

“What matters is that I’m still fighting on the card and get to use what I worked on in the fight camp.”

Calderwood further stated, “I just concentrate on myself during my fight camp and make sure I’m the best person I can be in there. I think it’s important not to focus on their strengths and what they can do, because the second you start doing that, you’re in trouble because you’re not focusing on yourself.”

While Center herself may be unheralded, she comes from one of the premier groups in MMA, Team Jackson-Winkeljohn in New Mexico. Calderwood, however, doesn’t feel that will make a difference on Saturday night.

“I look at all my opponents knowing that I have to beat them if I want to get to the Invicta title,” she said. “That’s my goal and I need to beat anyone, whether they’re from a great camp or not. I need to fight them as a fighter.”

And even though the Invicta flyweight title is the overall goal for Calderwood as she finishes out the second half of 2013, it’s her focus on each individual fight that is bigger to her.

“It is my goal, but I’m not really thinking about it,” she said. “I’m thinking about Norma, and as long as I keep winning and performing the title will come to me.”