UFC releases Cynthia Calvillo after UFC 287 loss

Cynthia Calvillo is no longer on the UFC roster.

Calvillo has been released by the promotion following her split decision loss to Loopy Godinez this past Saturday at UFC 287 in Miami, marking her fifth setback in a row.

MMA Fighting confirmed the news of Calvillo’s release after algorithm-based Twitter account UFC Roster Watch first revealed she was removed from the roster.

Upon entering the UFC, Calvillo (9-6-1 MMA, 6-6-1 UFC) was one of the most highly touted prospects by UFC president Dana White. She joined the promotion in 2017, scoring back-to-back submissions against Amanda Cooper at UFC 209, then Pearl Gonzalez at UFC 210 in the span of a month.

Calvillo’s quick rise drew comparisons to Conor McGregor and Ronda Rousey from White.

“The first time I ever met Conor McGregor, I called Lorenzo (Fertitta) and I said, ‘Man, I don’t even know if this guy can fight, but if he could throw a punch he’s going to be a f*cking rockstar.’ You know?” White said at the UFC 210 post-fight press conference while Calvillo sat next to him. “Ronda Rousey, I had a 45-minute meeting with her, and I decided to do women’s MMA. I feel pretty strongly about this one too. I think her performance was awesome tonight.”

Calvillo, 35, never came close to living up to those expectations. After White’s praise, she went 4-6-1 and missed the strawweight limit three times, which prompted a move to flyweight that didn’t work out as she went 1-4 in the division. Her final loss at UFC 287 marked a return to strawweight.

Calvillo earned notable wins over Joanne Wood and former title challenger Jessica Eye during her UFC tenure. Her losses in her five-fight losing streak came against Kaitlyn Chookagian, former champ Jessica Andrade, Andrea Lee, Nina Nunes, and Godinez.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 287.