UFC DC: Marina Rodriguez & Cynthia Calvillo Battle to a Draw

Cynthia Calvillo came in several pounds heavy for her bout tonight with Marina Rodriguez, but the fighter battled hard for 15 minutes and nearly emerged with the win.

Round one

Rodriguez stuck a nice right hand not long in and pressured early on. Calvillo countered with a nice takedown, however, a couple minutes in. Rodriguez quickly got back to her feet though and followed up with a flurry of strikes. Off the clinch break, Rodriguez threatened with a headkick and some nasty knees. Shortly before the rounded ended, however, Calvillo scored another takedown.

Round two

Rodriguez pressed forward in round two but Calvillo countered nicely with her movement. Rodriguez grazed Calvillo with a big knee mid-round, and the latter’s corner called for a takedown. Calvillo started to move forward more often, but Rodriguez countered with some nasty strikes to the body. Before the round ended, Rodriguez came with a jumping knee that didn’t land.

Round three

In the third frame, Rodriguez fired a few kicks to the shins of Calvillo, but the latter took her down moments later. Calvillo landed a couple of elbows from above and started hunting for a kimura from half guard. Rodriguez gave up her back as she attempted to scramble out. Calvillo fired in punches from behind and eventually moved into mount. Rodriguez ate numerous blows from above but finally got back to her feet. Rodriguez fired a headkick before the final round ended that missed. Entertaining fight.

The fight was declared a majority draw.

UFC DC results

Here are the results so far for UFC DC, which is being hosted by the Capital One Arena.

Marina Rodriguez vs. Cynthia Calvillo declared a majority draw (29-28, 28-28, 28-28)
Ben Rothwell def. Stefan Struve via TKO (punches) R2, 4:57
Aspen Ladd def. Yana Kunitskaya via TKO (punches) R3, 0:33
Cody Stamann vs. Song Yadong declared a majority draw (29-27, 28-28, 28-28)
Rob Font def. Ricky Simon via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
Tim Means def. Thiago Alves via submission (guillotine choke) R1, 2:38
Billy Quarantillo def. Jacob Kilburn via submission (triangle-choke) R2, 3:18
Bryce Mitchell def. Matt Sayles via submission (twister) R1, 4:20
Joe Solecki def. Matt Wiman via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-27)
Virna Jandiroba def. Mallory Martin via submission (rear-naked-choke) R2 1:16
Makhmud Muradov def. Trevor Smith via KO (punch) R3, 4:09