The UFC celebrated its 25th anniversary last year but it is only since November 2012 that women have competed on the promotion, with American Ronda Rousey paving the way as the first female champion.
McCann says part of the attraction for women is being on the same pay grade as their male counterparts and being given equal exposure.
“Look how much we have come on,” added McCann. “The men have been around for 25 years. We’ve covered some ground in six.
“The girls have just got to keep on working, keep on showing up on fight night and everyone knows when a girl is on the UFC they are leaving everything in the cage – they tend to go for broke.
“You come and watch an MMA fight and there are kids, women, there are adults – it hits everyone and so many more demographics.”
Shevchenko says she enjoys the way the UFC promotes its female fighters.
“What I really love about UFC is that before each big fight they share a story of the fighters,” she said. “Not only to show them as a fighter but also show to the fans the human part of each person. What they do during their normal life, their hobbies, their lifestyle.
“And you are becoming more familiar with the fighter you like, start to know him or her as a person, and of course it creates a bigger connection between fighters and fans.”
Calderwood agrees: “They really focus in on our characters, lifestyles and do a lot of documentaries on us for the fans, they put it out there for the world to see.”
BBC Sport has launched #ChangeTheGame this summer to showcase female athletes in a way they never have been before. Through more live women’s sport available to watch across the BBC this summer, complemented by our journalism, we are aiming to turn up the volume on women’s sport and alter perceptions. Find out more here.