Joanne Wood is a Scottish retired professional mixed martial artist and former Muay Thai champion, who competed in the Women’s Flyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
Her martial arts journey began at a young age when she began training in Muay Thai, eventually winning multiple championship titles and gaining world recognition for her dedication and skills.
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- Full name: Joanne Wood (née Calderwood)
- Stage name: Joanne Wood
- Date of birth: December 23, 1985
- Age: 37 years old
- Birthplace: Irvine, Ayrshire, Scotland, UK
- Nationality: Scottish
- Occupation: Scottish retired mixed martial artist
- Height: 1.68 m
- Parents: Jeanette Calderwood
- Siblings: 1
- Spouse: John Wood (d. 2019)
- Partner: James Doolan (? – 2015)
- Children: Unknown
- Relationship: Married
- Net worth: $1 million to $5 million
Early life and education
Joanne Wood (née Calderwood) was born on 23 December 1985 in Irvine, Ayrshire, Scotland, United Kingdom. She is the daughter of Jeanette Calderwood, and her father’s name is unknown. She has a younger brother, although his name is not made public.
Instead of attending college, Wood worked a variety of jobs, including as a nursing assistant, to support her Muay Thai and mixed martial arts training. She started practicing Muay Thai at the age of 13. Joanne Wood is of Scottish ethnicity and follows Christianity as her religion.
Career
Joanne Wood’s combat sports journey began in 2000 when she began training in Muay Thai. She became a decorated martial artist, winning many prestigious titles, including:
- ISKA World Flyweight Championship
- IKF European Flyweight Championship
- WKL European Flyweight Championship
- WBC UK bantamweight championship
Her achievements have established her as one of the world’s top Muay Thai fighters, with a world ranking of number 2 in the World Professional Muaythai Federation. After compiling an impressive record of 19-2-0, Wood transitioned to mixed martial arts in 2012.
As Scotland’s first female professional MMA fighter, Wood made a successful debut by defeating Noellie Molina by TKO in the first round. Her early MMA success included wins over notable opponents such as Lena Ovchynnikova and Ainara Mota, leading to her signing with Invicta FC, a top all-women’s MMA promotion.
Outstanding achievements
- Invicta FC 3: Defeated Ashley Cummins by first-round knockout, winning “Knockout of the Night.”
- Cage Warriors Fighting Championship 53: Defeated Sally Krumdiack by first-round TKO.
- Invicta FC 7: Defeated Katja Kankaanpää by unanimous decision.
These performances earned Wood a spot on Season 20 of The ultimate warriorwhere she competed for the UFC’s first women’s strawweight championship. Her UFC journey includes several milestones, such as competing in the first women’s flyweight division and earning notable wins, including a recent win over Luana Carolina at UFC 286.
Wood’s career ended with a decision victory over Maryna Moroz at UFC 299. After retiring, she was still honored for her contributions to both Muay Thai and MMA.
Social Media
- Instagram handle: @badmofo_jojo
- Facebook manager: Joanne Wood
- Twitter name: @DRkneevil
Personal life
Joanne Wood is married to John Wood, head coach of Syndicate MMA. The couple started dating in 2015, got engaged in October 2019, and married in October 2021. Joanne is also stepmother to John’s son from a previous relationship.
Before getting married, Wood was engaged to former coach James Doolan but the relationship ended in 2015.
Net worth
Joanne Wood has an estimated net worth between $1 million and $5 million, earned primarily through a successful fighting career in the UFC and Muay Thai. She also benefited from endorsements and business ventures, further strengthening her financial stability.
