After breast-implant saga, Cynthia Calvillo expected a 'hood fight with Pearl Gonzalez

BUFFALO, N.Y. – Cynthia Calvillo was walking an interesting line heading into her UFC 210 fight against Pearl Gonzalez on Saturday night.

On one hand, Calvillo (5-0 MMA, 2-0 UFC) said, she knew Gonzalez (6-2 MMA, 0-1 UFC) was going to be a stiff test in their strawweight fight on the main card. And on the other, well – that didn’t matter. She knew she’d finish her, anyway. And that’s just what she did.

It took a little work, but Calvillo forced Gonzalez to tap to a third-round rear-naked choke to keep her perfect record intact. She also pulled off a rarity by fighting on back-to-back UFC pay-per-view cards; her first two appearances for the promotion came just a month apart.

“I just went out there and fought,” Calvillo said at the post-event news conference, where she appeared on the dais alongside UFC President Dana White. “I knew I was going to get the finish. I just didn’t know how. It’s just another day for me. I train all the time. It’s a lifestyle for me. I fight every day. It just feels like home.”

UFC 210 took place Saturday at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, N.Y. The main card, including Calvillo vs. Gonzalez, aired on pay-per-view following prelims on FS1 and UFC Fight Pass.

Calvillo, a Team Alpha Male product, had to endure a little bit of uncertainty after Friday’s early weigh-ins. After she and Gonzalez made weight, Gonzalez was told her slot on the card was in jeopardy due to her breast implants.

But after the dust settled, the two remained on the lineup – something White said he told the two of them to not worry about. Once Calvillo knew she was still going to fight, the confidence ratcheted back up.

“I’m always expecting the finish,” Calvillo said. “I’m not the type to leave it to the judges, by any means. I have four finishes and only one decision. I knew I was going to get the finish. I knew she was going to be a tough, bigger opponent. She’s from Chicago. I knew she was going to be ‘hood; I’m from the ‘hood. I was ready for a three-round war, but I knew I was going to get that finish.”

For more from Calvillo after her win over Gonzalez, check out the video above.

And for complete coverage of UFC 210, check out the UFC Events section of the site.