Cynthia Calvillo Says She Signed Contract to Face Michelle Waterson Before Marijuana Suspension

Cynthia Calvillo had an intriguing fight lined up before a Nevada State Athletic Commission suspension sidelined her for nine months. Now she wants that opportunity back.

After her first-round submission victory against Poliana Botelho at UFC Fight Night 140 in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on Saturday, Calvillo revealed that a deal was in place to face Michelle Waterson earlier this year. However, the NSAC sanction for a positive marijuana test in relation to her bout against Carla Esparza at UFC 219 derailed those plans.

“I have some unfinished business,” Calvillo said. “I signed a contract earlier this year to fight Karate Hottie. I hope she will follow through with that as well, I had the contract before my suspension. Hopefully, we can run that back and get that finished.”

It was a welcome return to the win column at UFC Fight Night 140 for Calvillo, who suffered her first career defeat to Esparza last December. Calvillo was able to ground her foe in the first stanza, landing ground-and-pound before securing the tapout with a rear-naked choke at the 4:48 mark of the frame. Calvillo has been victorious in four of her five Octagon appearances.

“I felt well-prepared. It was a long layoff but I never stopped working, so I knew that no matter what I was going to be an improved fighter coming in ready for anything she had to give me,” Calvillo said. “I love the ground, so whenever she gave me the opening, I would go for it. It was perfect and I could not have asked for a better performance.”

Next, perhaps Waterson awaits.