Skip to content

Calvillo stays unbeaten with 3rd-round submission of Gonzalez

Joe Camporeale / USA TODAY Sports

Two fights in two straight pay-per-views? No problem for Cynthia Calvillo.

The fast-rising strawweight prospect improved to 2-0 in the Octagon and 5-0 overall after submitting Pearl Gonzalez with a rear-naked choke at the 3:45 mark of Round 3 in their bout at UFC 210 in Buffalo on Saturday.

Calvillo is the first fighter since Tito Ortiz in 2011 to compete on consecutive PPVs, and she's now the first UFC fighter to pick up two victories in 2017. Her debut with the promotion took place just 35 days ago at UFC 209.

The 29-year-old Californian didn't mince words afterward, channeling Nate Diaz in her postfight interview.

"I've worked hard for this shit," she said. "I'm not surprised, motherfucker."

It was a complete performance for Calvillo, who showed off her striking in Round 1 before using her grappling to dominate Gonzalez. Before the first round was even over, she almost ended the encounter with a triangle choke:

Gonzalez showed plenty of determination, especially after having to deal with a bizarre weigh-in controversy Friday. The UFC debutante was initially told her fight with Calvillo was canceled because of Gonzalez's breast implants, but the New York State Athletic Commission later changed their decision.

Still, she didn't look like she had much to offer as she was grounded by Calvillo for the majority of the bout. Once Calvillo got back control, it was only a matter of time until Gonzalez was forced to give in to her lethal submission game.

Gonzalez lost for just the second time in her career and fell to 6-2 as a professional.

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox