UFC 266: Andrade vs Calvillo preview

Before Valentina Shevchenko faces Lauren Murphy in defense of her flyweight title, two of the division’s top contenders square off on the main card of UFC 266 when Brazil’s Jessica Andrade and Cynthia Calvillo meet in the Octagon.

Andrade vs Calvillo UFC 266 preview

Andrade, 29, has struggled since winning the UFC strawweight title in 2019 — with a vicious slam of champion Rose Namajunas at UFC 237. Having gone just 1-3 following that win, she suffered losses to Zhang Weili, Namajunas in their rematch, and to the division queen Shevchenko in her last outing at UFC 261.

Still the division’s top-ranked contender, Andrade will defend her place atop the rankings against the fifth-ranked Calvillo.

Calvillo, 34, is also coming off a loss. As she suffered a decision defeat to Katlyn Chookagian in November of 2020.

A UFC fighter since 2017, Calvillo’s 6-2-1 record with the promotion has seen her defeat Joanne Calderwood, Pearl Gonzalez, and Jessica Eye.

Given the relative shallowness of the flyweight division and Shevchenko’s existing wins over top five contenders, a Calvillo win could position the California native well in relation to a title shot.

–Field Level Media