Cynthia Calvillo plans to be challenger who dethrones UFC champ Joanna Jedrzejczyk

ANAHEIM, Calif. – Cynthia Calvillo has been in the UFC for less than six months, but she already has plans for her UFC title.

Calvillo (6-0 MMA, 3-0 UFC), who splashed on the UFC scene in March, has quickly rattled off three consecutive victories to put herself on the map as a UFC strawweight contender. She’s looking to continue her quick ascent and named former champ Carla Esparza (12-4 MMA, 3-2 UFC) or Michelle Waterson (14-5 MMA, 2-1 UFC) as potential opponents she thinks could elevate her into title contention.

“I’m going to get that fourth win before the end of the year, for sure,” Calvillo said backstage at UFC 214 in Anaheim, Calif., on Saturday. “Hopefully maybe November, December we’ll found out soon. … I’m ranked No. 8 now (in the UFC rankings). Hopefully we can get Carla Esparza, No. 7, or Michelle Waterson, No. 6. Get two more fights and get that title – either of them.

“They’re both in the way of what I want, and that’s that belt.”

Calvillo’s ultimate goal, naturally, is to claim a UFC belt. Joanna Jedrzejczyk (14-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) has ruled the division with an iron fist since winning the belt in March 2015, and thus far has rarely been challenged through five consecutive title defenses.

With Rose Namajunas likely to be the next to challenge Jedrzejczyk for the belt, Calvillo said she hopes the Polish champ is able to retrain because she wants to be the one to take away the gold.

“If (Namajunas’) wrestling game gets on point and she can hold her down, maybe she can (win),” Calvillo said. “But I don’t know. I think I’m going to give Joanna that first loss.”

During her short UFC stint, Calvillo has been pegged by UFC President Dana White as someone with “star” potential, leading to a noticeable promotional push. The fact she’s been embraced by White has led to some criticism by fellow fighters, but Calvillo said she relishes it.

“One hundred percent (I get hate),” Calvillo said. “They want to fight whoever has attention. They want what I got already. It is what it is. I’m happy. I’m more than happy. I want them to line up and fight me because I love fighting. It’s better than not having fights.”

For more on the UFC’s upcoming schedule, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.