Salt Lake City was an absolute madhouse at UFC 332, setting new records for most KOs, most Round 1 KOs, and most consecutive Round 1 KOs on a single card in modern UFC history. Seriously, the place was on fire. Amidst all that finish-heavy chaos, Natalia Silva and Wang Cong, known for grinding out long fights, still managed to bring the heat over 25 minutes in the main event. In the end, Silva walked away with the vacant women’s flyweight championship. And believe me, her first title defense is already looking wild.
The New Champ’s Reign Will Be Anything But Simple
Alright, so Silva is queen of the flyweights, but everyone’s already buzzing about who’s next. The most obvious matchup? Valentina Shevchenko. Shevchenko never actually lost that belt, she just vacated it due to injury. She’s basically ruled the women’s flyweight division with an iron fist for ages, so if she’s healthy, she absolutely deserves the immediate title shot. But wait, there’s more. Alexa Grasso is another former champ who’s earned her spot. Grasso has been on a tear since her loss to Silva, looking like a completely different fighter. If the UFC needs a quick turnaround, Grasso could definitely get that rematch. That fight would either cement Silva’s status before an inevitable Shevchenko showdown, or position Grasso to break her 1-1-1 tie with Shevchenko. Erin Blanchfield is also in the mix, but honestly, Grasso’s claim feels stronger, even with her recent loss to Silva.
Talbott Is Hunting Big Game, But The Matchmaking Is Tricky
No one is questioning Payton Talbott’s potential right now. The 28-year-old just put on a star-making performance against former two-division UFC champ Deiveson Figueiredo, and he’s now got consecutive wins over former champions in his pocket. What does he want next? He immediately called out former UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley. And yeah, that sounds awesome, but the matchmaking pieces aren’t quite lining up. If Petr Yan beats Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 333, O’Malley, who’s currently ranked No. 2, absolutely deserves the next title shot. If Dvalishvili gets the title back, it’s a bit simpler. So, while O’Malley sounds fun, Cory Sandhagen might be the more realistic, and just as exciting, option for Talbott’s next dance. As for Wang Cong, she had some moments in the title fight, but it’s clear she needs a step back in competition. Erin Blanchfield and Jasmine Jasudavicius are fighting in Edmonton on October 17th. The winner will climb the women’s flyweight ladder, but the loser? They should absolutely meet Wang, offering both a chance to turn things around.
So, get ready because the women’s flyweight division is about to go off with Natalia Silva at the top. And Payton Talbott is officially a fighter to watch, no matter who he steps in the octagon with next. You just know his next fight is going to be explosive, so keep those eyes peeled.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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