Full Breakdown
Silva vs. Cong: Vacant Flyweight Title on the Line at UFC 332
By Drooid · · How we work
Title Fight Set for UFC 332
The UFC’s main event on Saturday night in Salt Lake City’s Delta Center will feature Brazil’s Natalia Silva (20-5-1, 8-0 in the UFC) against China’s Wang Cong (10-1, 5-1 in the UFC) for the vacant women’s flyweight championship. The belt was vacated after two-time champion Valentina Shevchenko withdrew because of injuries, prompting a rapid reshuffle of the division’s title picture.
Background & Context
Shevchenko’s departure ends a reign that included nine consecutive title defenses, the most in UFC women’s history. Her exit leaves the division without a clear successor and follows a broader trend: in 2026, 83 % of women’s fights have appeared on prelims, up from 54 % in 2017. UFC 332 will be the first numbered event of the year headlined by women and the first women-headlined numbered card since the Nunes-Aldana bout in June 2023.
Data & Statistics
- Silva’s UFC record: 8-0, part of a 14-fight win streak that includes victories over former champions.
- Wang’s UFC record: 5-1, riding a four-fight winning streak and holding the division’s highest striking differential.
- Betting markets list Silva as a –205 to –210 favorite.
Official Statements & Responses
Silva said the sudden change forced her camp to “pivot” a month before the fight, but she embraced the new challenge, calling the title opportunity “a dream becoming true.”
Wang described the bout as her “time” to claim the belt, noting she does not need to defeat Shevchenko to be recognized as champion. She highlighted her aggressive boxing style—averaging 6.82 significant strikes per minute—and expressed confidence that her performance will silence critics.
The UFC promoted the event as the first women-headlined numbered card to air live on CBS, underscoring the historic nature of the matchup.
Criticism & Opposition
Former fighter-turned-analyst Brendan Schaub labeled the main event “the worst in MMA history,” reflecting broader fan disappointment over the card’s perceived lack of star power. Media outlets have noted that the matchup received “plenty of flack” for featuring two relatively unproven contenders compared with the division’s former champion.
Verbatim Quotes
Why It Matters
The winner will become the first undisputed women’s flyweight champion of the post-Shevchenko era, shaping the division’s future match-ups. Silva’s victory could cement Brazil’s dominance across three UFC women’s titles, while a Cong triumph would validate the UFC’s decision to elevate a Chinese contender and could expand the sport’s market in Asia.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the event’s perceived quality: analysts highlight the historic nature of a women-headlined numbered card, while critics argue the bout lacks marquee appeal. No official commentary has addressed how the UFC plans to bolster the division’s visibility after the title is awarded, leaving the long-term promotional strategy unclear.