Former UFC Flyweight Cynthia Calvillo Retires

Former UFC flyweight Cynthia Calvillo has announced her retirement from MMA, as we look at her legacy.

Calvillo secured a win in her final fight at HEX Fight Series 32, however, that followed a run of poor form, having lost five UFC fights on the spin. Defeats to Loopy Godinez and Nina Nunes marked her exit from the UFC. That put an end to her impressive start in MMA, where she had won six on the spin, beating Pearl Gonzalez and Joanne Wood. Calvillo was once considered for a title shot, having secured a headline win over Jessica Eye in June 2020. While Calvillo still has a passion for the sport, she was ready for the next chapter.

Calvillo Retires

“It’s time to say goodbye to a sport that I gave everything to and that I loved so much. I wasn’t ready to let it go just yet but life and opportunities that fizzled out has led me to pursue the next chapter in my life. I just want to say thank you to every single person that helped me live this crazy dream of mine. To all the coaches that believed in me and spent countless hours making me the best I could I be, y’all don’t know how much it means to me. To the @ufc @danawhite @seanshelby @mickmaynard2 thanks for letting this little girl from East Side San Jose live her dream! It was dope being a superhero,” Calvillo said

A legacy, however, is not just defined by wins, but by how a fighter responds to adversity. Following her win over Eye, Calvillo’s career took a turn for the worse, as she lost her next five fights in the UFC, including defeats to Loopy Godinez and Nina Nunes. These losses, while difficult, are a testament to her toughness and her willingness to fight the best in the world. 

Beyond her record, Calvillo’s legacy is that of a pioneer in women’s MMA. She was a top prospect during a time when the women’s divisions were still gaining a foothold in the UFC. Her dynamic style and ability to put on exciting fights helped to pave the way for the next generation of female fighters. Her success helped to legitimize women’s MMA and inspire a new generation of female athletes.