Full Breakdown
Shevchenko’s Injury Leaves UFC 332 Without a Champion-Level Main Event
9/4/2026, 2:37:39 PM
Core Event: Champion Withdraws from Scheduled Flyweight Title Fight
Valentina Shevchenko, the UFC women’s flyweight champion, has withdrawn from the October 3 UFC 332 card in Salt Lake City, Utah, citing an undisclosed injury. The bout that was to feature Shevchenko defending her title against No. 1 contender Natalia Silva has been removed from the UFC website, leaving the event without a championship fight.
Background & Context: Recent Flyweight Title History and Contender Status
Shevchenko lost the flyweight belt to Alexa Grasso at UFC 285, then reclaimed it in a trilogy bout at UFC 306, tying Amanda Nunes for the most women’s title-fight victories in UFC history. Silva, ranked #1 in the division, earned her challenger position through a series of wins over former champions Rose Namajunas, Alexa Grasso and Jessica Andrade.
Potential Interim Title Solution: Silva vs. Wang Cong
Multiple reports indicate the UFC is exploring an interim women’s flyweight championship bout between Silva and Wang Cong, the division’s #6-ranked contender. Wang, a former kickboxing opponent of Shevchenko (she lost a 2015 Kunlun Fight match at 132 lb), entered the UFC via the 2024 Road to UFC series. She posted a 6-0 MMA record before a submission loss to Gabriella Fernandes, then compiled four consecutive victories, most recently a unanimous decision over Tracy Cortez at UFC 329, moving her to #6.
Other Main Event Possibilities Discussed
Other outlets have floated alternative headliners for UFC 332. One scenario involves an interim light-heavyweight title fight between Magomed Ankalaev and Paulo Costa. A second option suggests a middleweight title defense by Sean Strickland against a ranked opponent, such as Brendan Allen. These ideas reflect the promotion’s “desperation mode” as it seeks a championship-level main event with just over a month remaining.
Official Statements & Responses
UFC President and CEO Dana White addressed the situation at a press conference on March 28, 2026, stating that the organization would announce the main event “this week.” White confirmed that the interim women’s flyweight bout is under consideration but emphasized that no final decision has been made.
Data & Statistics
- UFC 332 currently lists eight fights, none of which are classified as main-event or co-main-event caliber.
- Silva holds the No. 1 contender spot in the women’s flyweight division.
- Wang Cong is ranked #6 and has a professional MMA record of 6-1, with a four-fight winning streak.
- Shevchenko’s career tally of women’s title-fight wins stands at 11, matching Nunes.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the likely replacement headliner. Some report that the UFC is moving forward with an interim flyweight title fight (Silva vs. Wang Cong), while others highlight possible interim light-heavyweight or middleweight title bouts as alternatives. No official confirmation of any matchup exists, and the specific nature of Shevchenko’s injury has not been disclosed.
What’s Next
The UFC is expected to reveal the official main event later this week, according to Dana White. If an interim women’s flyweight championship is booked, it would need to be finalized before the October 3 event. Until then, UFC 332 remains without a confirmed championship headline.
