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Cynthia Calvillo said all she needed to on social media to set up her next opponent in the Octagon.
“Closed mouths don’t get fed,” wrote the Mexican-American star, who opportunistically ran into No 1-ranked flyweight Jessica Andrade (21-9) at an Invicta FC event in May. She took a photo of them facing off, sent it to UFC matchmaker Mick Maynard, and the rest is history.
Now they are set to clash on September 25 inside the T-Mobile Arena at UFC 266, which is headlined by a featherweight title fight between champion Alex Volkanovski and Brian Ortega.
Coming off shoulder surgery after dropping a decision to Katlyn Chookagian last November, the 34-year-old Calvillo (9-2-1) clearly kept a close eye on the division while recovering in Las Vegas, and former strawweight champ Andrade is one of the most dangerous individuals across the board.


“Watching her against Valentina [Shevchenko] showed me a lot as far as how we should go in there and beat her,” Calvillo told SCMP MMA. “If we’re smart and we don’t go reckless and play her game, which I think it’s a game of just racquetball … You know, just like rack ‘em and throw ‘em out there. Which is what I’m not gonna try to do with her.
“Whether it’s with ground and pound or get her in a crucifix or submission. I’m very confident. I’ve been working a lot, especially being out here at 10th Planet. Now I get to do No-Gi every day. I get to practise my strength every day.
UFC: Felder tells McGregor to quit ‘murder’ talk or ‘get the hell out’
“So it makes me super excited, way more confident to really showcase more of my ninja moves. I really feel like I’ve only shown people maybe 50 per cent of what I can do, honestly. That’s where my victory is going to be. Have good defence, pick my shots, and go in there for the kill. When I get the takedown, do as I please.”

Immediately after Calvillo battles Andrade, Shevchenko (21-3) will defend her flyweight crown against Lauren Murphy. The No 3-ranked American (15-4) has earned the spot with five straight wins, but will enter as a massive underdog.
“I just don’t see Lauren winning that fight,” Calvillo said. “It’s just [on] a different level. I think it’s really hard to see Valentina lose against anybody. I don’t think they’re really giving any of us a shot. The most important thing is we believe and we keep winning these fights.
“I believe I can beat Valentina for sure, 100 per cent. I really truly believe it. And I’m sure Lauren believes the same thing too. But for me from the outside perspective, I don’t see that for her.”


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Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC)

UFC: Cynthia Calvillo plans to showcase ‘ninja moves’ vs Jessica Andrade – ‘pick my shots, go in for the kill’

Cynthia Calvillo faces off with Jessica Andrade for a picture at an Invicta FC event. Photo: Instagram/@cynthia.calvillo

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - NOVEMBER 21:  (R-L) Cynthia Calvillo kicks Katlyn Chookagian in their women's flyweight bout during the UFC 255 event at UFC APEX on November 21, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)

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Conor McGregor sits on the mat after injuring his ankle in the first round of his lightweight bout against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264. Photo: AFP

Jul 10, 2021; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Conor McGregor holds his leg after suffering an injury against Dustin Poirier during UFC 264 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

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Nick Diaz poses for a picture during training. Instagram/@nickdiaz209

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Conor McGregor performs his trademark strut before his lightweight bout against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264. Photo: AFP

Conor McGregor yells as he sits on the mat after an injury during his lightweight mixed martial arts bout with Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 on Saturday, July 10, 2021, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

UFC: Michael Bisping says Conor McGregor ‘should fire John Kavanagh immediately’ if coach ‘truly wasn’t concerned’

Conor McGregor looks on before fighting Dustin Poirier at UFC 264. Photo: USA TODAY Sports

Dustin Poirier, top, punches Conor McGregor during a UFC 264 lightweight mixed martial arts bout Saturday, July 10, 2021, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

UFC: Khabib Nurmagomedov insists Conor McGregor will lose ‘100 times out of 100’ against Dustin Poirier

Dustin Poirier moves in for a hit against Conor McGregor at UFC 264. Photo: USA TODAY Sports

(FILES) In this file photo Conor McGregor of Ireland walks in the octagon before his lightweight bought against Dustin Poirier during UFC 264: Poirier v McGregor 3 at T-Mobile Arena on July 10, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. - Conor McGregor underwent three hours of surgery on July 11, 2021, less than 24 hours after suffering a "clean" break of his left shinbone during a devastating UFC defeat to American brawler Dustin Poirier. Doctors revealed that McGregor broke his left tibia and fibula bones in the opening round of the non-title lightweight bout in Las Vegas. (Photo by Stacy Revere / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / AFP)

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Martial Arts

Mixed Martial Arts


Mexican-American flyweight star promises she won’t ‘go reckless’ against Andrade at UFC 266
Calvillo believes ‘100 per cent’ she could beat Valentina Shevchenko, but thinks flyweight champ will be ‘a different level’ for Lauren Murphy



Mexican-American flyweight star Cynthia Calvillo promises she won’t ‘go reckless’ against Jessica Andrade at UFC 266 – ‘I’ll pick my shots, go in for the kill’.
