Cynthia Calvillo Eyeing Two UFC Titles: ‘I Want To Be A Real Champ, The People’s Champ’
Cynthia Calvillo (6-0) takes on Carla Esparza (12-4) this Saturday at UFC 219 in Las Vegas and she’s looking to make it five wins inside a calendar year.
Having already picked up a win under the LFA banner back in January, Calvillo entered the UFC back in March when she stepped in as a late replacement to fight Amanda Cooper at UFC 209. Calvillo went on to win via submission and she followed that up just a month later at UFC 210 when she also beat Pearl Gonzalez where she won also won with a rear naked choke. With two quick-fire wins in succession, Calvillo then went on to defeat Joanne Calderwood in Glasgow, Scotland via unanimous decision in July and pick up the biggest win of her career.
A win on Saturday will make it 5-0 in 2017 and cap a perfect year for the Team Alpha Male strawweight. Speaking to MMANytt earlier this week, Calvillo explained that she was loving life, but conscious of the fact it could all be taken away from her very quickly.
“It’s been crazy and I’m excited to see where things are going right now,” Calvillo said. “It’s just been amazing, all the se opportunities I’ve been getting. As long as I keep winning, all of these opportunities will keep on coming as long as I get the win. I just got to keep humble and keep focused. All of this can go away.
“Anything can happen and it can all go away and be taken away so I’m just grateful for every day that I have to remind myself what I have. I’m fighting a former champion now and I’m making sure each step gets me closer to the be. I’m feeling blessed and grateful every day to get all these opportunities.”
Winning one title isn’t the endgame though. Calvillo is focused on becoming a double weight world champion and defending both the belts.
“I want to be the best ever,” Calvillo said without needing to think. “I want to be a double weight world champion and I want to go up to the flyweight division. My focus right now is on Carla and accomplishing all these little goals. I’m coming to takeover the strawweight division, become a dominant champion, and a defending champion.
“It’s one thing winning a title, but it’s another thing defending it. I want to win and defend that belt, move up, become the flyweight champ, and then defend that belt. I just want to be a real champ, the people’s champ.”
