UFC Fight Night 80: Namajunas replaces Calderwood to take on VanZant in main event

As first announced by her teammate, Justin Buchhloz, on Stud Show Radio, Team Alpha Male standout Paige VanZant (6-1) will now be headlining UFC Fight Night 80 against a new opponent.

It’s been confirmed by UFC officials that Joanne Calderwood (10-1) will not be able to compete on December 10th against VanZant in Las Vegas. The reason for her removal from the card is still unknown. What we do know is that TUF 20 finalist and Fight Booth 2013 submission of the year award winner Rose Namajunas (3-2) has been announced as Calderwood’s official replacement.

The last time we saw Namajunas she was caught putting the 115 lbs division on notice when she rendered TUF 20 alum Angela Hill unconscious in the 1st round with a standing rear naked choke to kick off the FOX Sports 1 preliminary portion of UFC 192 last month in Houston, Texas.

UFC Fight Night 80 ‘Namajunas vs. VanZant’ will take place inside of The Chelsea at the Cosmopolitan and will air live and exclusively on UFC Fight Pass on December 10th.

On the following night, inside of the same venue, the TUF 22 finale featuring a featherweight contest between Frankie Edgar (19-4-1) and Chad Mendes (17-3) will air live on FOX Sports 1.

If all goes according to planned, the UFC will close out the weekend with an earth shattering PPV that will feature the top P4P fighter in the world today, Jose Aldo (25-1), unifying his featherweight title against his bitter rival, UFC featherweight interim champ Conor McGregor (18-2). That fight is currently scheduled to take place after UFC middleweight champ Chris Weidman (13-0) attempts to defend his strap against former Strikeforce champion Luke Rockhold (14-2).