LAS VEGAS – Cynthia Calvillo likes the challenge of taking on one of the scariest fighters in the UFC women’s flyweight division.
Calvillo (9-2-1 MMA, 6-2-1 UFC) meets former title challenger Jessica Andrade (21-9 MMA, 12-7 UFC) on Sept. 25 at UFC 266. A prolific finisher throughout her career, Andrade’s past three wins have come by devastating finish, and Calvillo knows she’ll have to be very tactical in her approach.
But she’s looking forward to it.
“I’m really excited,” Calvillo told MMA Junkie Radio. “She’s a really dangerous fighter, and that excites me. I like to do things that scare me, and I really feel like she possesses the danger of you can just get knocked out if she clips you, so you have to be really smart. I think it’s a really good fight for me. I think I have really good footwork. I’m gonna be able to have some really smart engagements and get done what I want to get done, which is basically get her down and choke her out or ground and pound.”
A contender at 115 pounds, Calvillo decided to make the move up to flyweight after missing weight twice in the span of three fights. She kicked off her 125-pound campaign by defeating Jessica Eye in her first main event, but fell short against perennial contender Katlyn Chookagian.
But with a win over another former title challenger in Andrade, Calvillo is aiming to place herself in prime position for title contention.
“A new chapter, a new shot,” Calvillo said. “Another shot to become champion. I feel like me being at 115 and having not so much success towards the end where I had missed weight, I had got a draw, and so I feel like me moving and just changing everything – this is a whole new, fresh start.
“I’m getting a second shot to go reach for the gold, but at a different division, and I feel really good. I’m in a really good spot, I’m No. 5 ranked, so I’m really excited. I really do feel like this is a new, fresh start. I have a lot more experience, I’m definitely more mature, so I think I’m gonna do a lot better in this division.”
Cynthia Calvillo: Jessica Andrade ‘a really dangerous fighter, and that excites me’ about UFC 266
