Nina Nunes Out with Illness, UFC on ESPN 39 Bout vs. Cynthia Calvillo Scrapped

A proposed flyweight clash between Nina Nunes and Cynthia Calvillo won’t be happening at UFC on ESPN 39 as originally planned.

The bout has been removed from today’s card after Nunes withdrew from the bout due to what she called a “stomach virus” on social media. The cancellation was subsequently confirmed by promotion officials. According to MMAjunkie.com, the UFC hopes to rebook the fight for its Aug. 13 event.

“Hey everyone, I had an amazing camp and the best weight cut yet,” Nunes wrote on Instagram. “Unfortunately I picked up a stomach virus and have been sick since right after weigh ins. I tried as much as I could to make this better and still be able to fight. Sadly it has taken a tear on my body and I won’t be able to perform tonight. Sorry to my opponent. We are rescheduling it as we speak.”

Nunes was slated to make her 125-pound debut against Calvillo. The former strawweight contender returned to the Octagon after nearly two years away at UFC on ABC 2, where she succumbed to a Mackenzie Dern armbar in the opening stanza of the April 2021 encounter.

Calvillo, meanwhile, was looking to halt a three-bout skid after dropping successive outings against Katlyn Chookagian, Jessica Andrade and Andrea Lee.

UFC on ESPN 39 will proceed with 11 bouts. The card takes place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas and is headlined by a lightweight tilt between Rafael dos Anjos and Rafael Fiziev. The prelims stream on ESPN and ESPN+ at 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT, while the main card begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.

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