Calvillo doesn't respect former teammate VanZant 'as a real martial artist'

Cynthia Calvillo doesn't think too highly of former teammate Paige VanZant.

"I just don't think that she's a good fighter," Calvillo told MMA Fighting's Damon Martin. "I really don't respect her too much as a real martial artist."

Calvillo and VanZant used to train together at Team Alpha Male in Sacramento. Both have since left the gym, with VanZant departing first.

VanZant called out nearly every UFC women's strawweight and flyweight fighter in an Instagram post in October. That included Calvillo, who was irritated that VanZant included her on the mass list but wouldn't address her reply afterward.

"She's not in my concern in any kind of way," Calvillo said. "I don't feel like me beating her would mean anything, but I did (find it) bothersome with her calling me out and just deleting my replies. I feel like that's more disrespectful."

VanZant, who hasn't fought since January, recently accepted a March fight against rising contender Amanda Ribas. It's the last bout on her current UFC contract.

Calvillo, meanwhile, will face Marina Rodriguez in the co-main event at UFC D.C. on Saturday. The No. 10 strawweight wants to fight for the title, and she doesn't think a win over VanZant, the No. 15 flyweight, would move her closer to that goal.

"We're on two different paths," Calvillo said. "I want to be a world champion. I want to be the best."

VanZant has had mixed results as a UFC fighter but has also found fame in the entertainment business; she was a runner-up on "Dancing with the Stars" in 2016.

Calvillo is riding a two-fight winning streak, including a decision win over Cortney Casey in February.