The UFC women’s flyweight championship is officially up for grabs at UFC 332 on October 3rd, all because Valentina Shevchenko is sidelined with an injury. The promotion announced Saturday that the belt is vacant, setting up a huge main event: Natalia Silva taking on Wang Cong for the undisputed title. This isn’t just a regular fight; it’s a monumental shift in the division, and it’s happening sooner than anyone expected.
The Queen’s Reign on Pause
Shevchenko, at 38 years old, has been a true force in this division. She regained the championship in 2024 by winning a unanimous decision over Alexa Grasso. After that, she successfully defended the belt against tough contenders like Manon Fiorot and Zhang Weili, cementing her status as one of the best. But here’s the kicker: she hasn’t stepped into the Octagon since last November. That’s already a long layoff, and now, with this injury, it’s extending for an indeterminate period. It’s tough to see a champion like Shevchenko step away, but injuries are just part of the game. Her absence throws the whole division into a state of absolute chaos, and we’re about to see who rises to the top.
Two Fighters Who’ve Earned This Shot
This title fight is absolutely massive for both Natalia Silva and Wang Cong, and believe me, they’ve both earned their spots. Silva, currently ranked as the No. 1 challenger in the UFC’s official rankings, is riding an insane 14-fight winning streak. Her overall pro record sits at 20-5, but don’t let those five losses fool you. Her last defeat was nearly a decade ago, a unanimous decision to Marina Rodriguez back in December 2017. Talk about a comeback story, right? Since then, she’s been unstoppable.
Wang Cong, ranked sixth, is probably the biggest beneficiary of Shevchenko’s exit, and this is without a doubt the biggest fight of her entire MMA career. She’s got a strong pro record of 10-1 and is currently on a four-fight winning streak. What’s even crazier is that Wang was an experienced kickboxer before she even pivoted to mixed martial arts in 2022. That’s a quick rise to a title shot, and it shows you how much raw talent she’s bringing to the cage. One of these fighters is about to become a UFC champion, and both are bringing serious momentum to the Octagon.
UFC 332: More Than Just a Title Fight
While the main event for the women’s flyweight title is gonna be epic, UFC 332 has more action lined up for us on the main card. We’re also getting a killer bantamweight battle between Deiveson Figueiredo and Payton Talbott. Seriously, that’s a fight guaranteed to bring fireworks. And if that’s not enough, there’s a lightweight clash featuring King Green and Esteban Ribovics, which should be an absolute slugfest.
Get ready for October 3rd, because UFC 332 is shaping up to be an absolutely stacked card. We’re about to crown a new women’s flyweight champion, and honestly, the division needed this kind of wild shake-up. These fighters are hungry, and they’re gonna leave it all in the Octagon. You don’t want to miss this!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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