KGB Lee vs. Joanne Calderwood Targeted for UFC 242 in Abu Dhabi

Joanne Calderwood UFC
Joanne Calderwood Credit: Karine LaRocque/Sherdog.com

KGB Lee and Joanne Calderwood will meet in a key women’s flyweight fight at UFC 242 in Abu Dhabi this September.

The UFC’s Abu Dhabi PPV event has another interesting fight on its hands. Headlined by Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Dustin Poirier in a lightweight title unification fight, the card now has a women’s flyweight bout that holds a lot of promise. That fight will see Andrea Lee (better known as KGB Lee, a nickname earned via her Russian-esque looks) taking on the ever-popular Joanne Calderwood. MMA Junkie was first to report the pairing, which has not been officially announced by the UFC.

Lee (11–2) picked up her third UFC win against Montana De La Rosa just last month at UFC Greenville. A former LFA champ and Invicta FC fighter, she’s perfect in the big show thus far. All three wins have come via decision, with Veronica Macedo and Ashlee Evans-Smith coming up short against KGB Lee as well.

Calderwood (13–4) was undefeated in the UFC at 125lbs prior to her last fight. A decision loss to Katlyn Chookagian, however, snapped a two-fight win streak for ‘JoJo.’ Calderwood has been with the UFC since 2014, joining as part of the strawweight season of The Ultimate Fighter, TUF 20. She’s a tough out for anyone in the division — and a win over her could earn Lee a shot at flyweight gold.

Champ Valentina Shevchenko recently floored Jessica Eye with a head kick to defend her title at UFC 238, and has Liz Carmouche next, making the next contender anyone’s guess.

UFC 242 takes place September 2 at an unnamed venue in Abu Dhabi. The main card will air live on PPV (exclusively through ESPN+ in the U.S.).