UFC Fight Night: Cynthia Calvillo puts on grappling masterclass against women’s flyweight star Jessica Eye

Women’s flyweight debutant Cynthia Calvillo secured the biggest win of her professional career against former title challenger Jessica Eye at the UFC Fight Night at the Apex Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday

Calvillo (8-1-1) secured takedowns in each round against a tired-looking “Evil” Eye (15-7, one no contest), throwing in several neck crank and rear-naked choke attempts.

“This was the first time getting ready for a five round fight and I did it in three weeks. I try to outwork everyone, I’m really proud of myself and know I can push and get more energetic through the rounds,” Calvillo said. She had not won in more than a year.

Calvillo’s last fight was a draw against Marina Rodriguez last December. The performance against such a highly ranked opponent is likely to put Calvillo in title fight contention against champion Valentina Shevchenko. “Whoever, whatever. My last two years have been really slow so I’m down to fight everybody. Just keep me busy, bring it on,” she said.

Eye narrowly missed weight ahead of the fight, with video footage of her telling her coaches “I don’t think I can stand” when getting off the scale.

In the co-main event, Marvin “The Italian Dream” Vettori (15-4-1) sent a warning to middleweight champion Israel Adesanya after securing a first-round rear-naked choke win over American Karl “Baby K” Roberson (9-3).

Vettori and Roberson – who were scheduled to fight in another makeshift UFC event in Jacksonville, Florida, in May – had to be separated in the hotel lobby after Roberson pulled out of the fight due to “health issues” in his weight cut. Roberson then missed weight for their rescheduled bout.

“This was six months of hard work. I couldn’t even have a beer since January. I just tried so hard and this was my reward. I was so hyped up before the fight that I wanted to cry, because this is was I love to do. I just wanted to fight. I’m on a mission and wanted to keep going. I showed up and did my job. That’s what it’s all about, being professional,” Vettori said The 26-year-old’s last four fights were cancelled for various reasons.

“Everyone has been dodging me. They can’t hide anymore. Let’s f****** go. I want names. I want to work to a rematch with Adesanya. We need to do that again. I don’t care who I fight, but I need a ranked opponent to keep climbing. I deserve this and I will get it. A lot of people have been dodging me. No one will step over me and I will get in the mix soon,” Vettori said, adding that he asked Dana White for his first “50 Gs”, referring to the US$50,000 performance of the night bonus.

Lightweight Charles Rosa (13-4) managed to win on his quick turnaround against Kevin Aguilar (17-4) via split decision.

“Boston Strong” Rosa had lost to Bryce Mitchell in an unforgettably dominant grappling performance at UFC 249 in May. The American returned with a confident stand-up display against experienced Aguilar.

Andre “Touchy” Fili (21-7) once again had his Samoan “coconut chin” to thank after fighting to a split-decision win over Charles Jourdain (10-3).

“I was begging God. Man, I don’t understand [the split decision]. I really feel like I didn’t perform as well as I could have. I’m my own hardest critic. If you scored that fight for him, I don’t know what fight you were watching. Respect to Jourdain. He was telling me I won the fight,” featherweight contender Fili said.

“He hits hard, but I'm Samoan, bro. I've got this coconut chin, I've got these whiskers on me,” Fili added. “I want a big name. I’m tired of people looking at me like I’m just a regular UFC fighter. I want a big name next. I’m going to go back and talk with my tram. A lot of guys just get on the mic and shout names. That’s not my style.”

In the main card opener, Jordan Espinosa (15-7, one no contest) defeated Mark De La Rosa (11-5) via unanimous decision.

“It was weird because when I got in there, I had zero nerves at all. I think fighting on Dana White’s Contender Series helped with that,” Espinosa said.

“I’m trying to get on Fight Island. I’ve never been overseas before. Tyson Nam just got a knockout. I’d be down to fight him.”