US-based Aussie Jessica Rose-Clark will make her UFC debut against Bec Rawlings at UFC Sydney next Sunday.
MMA Today first reported the news after Scottish fighter Joanne Calderwood was removed from the card. Calderwood was originally set to fight Rawlings at the event.
Although the UFC has yet to announce the change, Fight News Australia has also confirmed the news with sources.
Jessy Jess (7-4), as she is more widely known in MMA circles, will step in as a replacement for Calderwood at the event. The match-up against Rawlings will take place in the UFC’s newly formed female flyweight division. Rose-Clark was already scheduled to fight at Invicta FC 26 against former flyweight champion Vanessa Porto on December 8. She will now need to make the weight three weeks earlier than originally expected.
Rawlings (7-6) will be looking to bounce back after losing her last two fights in the UFC. The fight at flyweight will be her first at the weight in nearly five years, where she beat Jasinka Cive by armbar in the first round.
UPDATE: The UFC has since announced the new pairing, which will serve as the UFC Fight Night 121 co-main event.
Taking place November 19 at Qudos Bank Arena, UFC Sydney will be headlined by a heavyweight bout between Fabricio Werdum and Marcin Tybura.
