UFC star and veteran Cynthia Calvillo has officially hung up her gloves, ending a memorable 13-year career inside the cage.
Calvillo rose as one of the top female prospects competing out of Team Alpha Male, led by Urijah Faber. After a main event win over former title challenger Jessica Eye in June 2020, Calvillo dropped her next five professional fights in the UFC, suffering defeats to Loopy Godinez and Nina Nunes. The UFC gave Calvillo one final shot at UFC Vegas 90 in April 2024, but after she missed weight, the promotion released her.
The 38-year-old fought one more time at HEX Fight Series 32 in September, where she closed out her career with a unanimous decision victory over Lisa Kyriacou. Following the win, Calvillo confirmed her retirement.
“It’s time to say goodbye to a sport that I gave everything to and that I loved so much,” Calvillo wrote in an Instagram post. “I wasn’t ready to let it go just yet, but life and opportunities that fizzled out led me to pursue the next chapter in my life. I just want to say thank you to every single person that helped me live this crazy dream of mine. To all the coaches that believed in me and spent countless hours making me the best I could be, y’all don’t know how much it means to me. To the UFC, Dana White [and matchmakers], thanks for letting this little girl from East Side San Jose live her dream! It was f*cking dope being a superhero!”
Calvillo’s career was a mix of promise, setbacks, and perseverance. From making an immediate impact as a bright prospect to enduring a rough losing streak, she embodied the highs and lows that come with competing at the elite level of MMA. Even in the face of adversity, she stayed true to her passion and left the sport on her own terms with a final victory.
Her journey reminds fans that MMA is not only about wins and losses but also about the resilience, growth, and impact a fighter leaves behind. Cynthia Calvillo’s legacy stands as a testament to determination and heart, qualities that will inspire future fighters who dream of stepping into the Octagon.
