A matchup many viewed as the next title eliminator in the UFC women’s flyweight division won’t be happening.
Alexa Grasso has been forced to withdraw from her scheduled matchup with Joanne Calderwood (15-6 MMA, 7-6 UFC) at UFC Fight Night on Nov. 20. She will be replaced by Taila Santos (18-1 MMA, 3-1 UFC) in what will remain an important contest for the weight class.
MMA Junkie confirmed the switch with a person close to the situation, who requested anonymity because the UFC has yet to make an official announcement. UFC broadcast partner ESPN first reported the news.
UFC Fight Night on Nov. 20 takes place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The entire card streams on ESPN+.
Calderwood, No. 10 in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie women’s flyweight rankings, is coming off a split decision loss to Lauren Murphy in a title eliminator at UFC 263 in June. She’s alternated wins and over her past six fights, twice failing to secure a title shot in that stretch.
No. 11 Santos, meanwhile, is coming off a dominant win over Roxanne Modafferi at UFC 266 this month. The Brazilian has lost just once in 19 career fights and is currently riding a three-fight winning streak inside the octagon.
The latest UFC Fight Night lineup now includes:
- Miesha Tate vs. Ketlen Vieira
- Sean Brady vs. Michael Chiesa
- Joanne Calderwood vs. Taila Santos
- Cody Durden vs. Aori Qileng
- Cheyanne Buys vs. Loma Lookboonmee
- Terrance McKinney vs. Fares Ziam
- Rafa Garcia vs. Natan Levy
- Pat Sabatini vs. Gavin Tucker
- Azamat Murzakanov vs. Marcin Prachnio
- Denys Bondar vs. Malcolm Gordon
- Davey Grant vs. Adrian Yanez
- Shayilan Nuerdanbieke vs. Sean Soriano
