UFC champion forced to vacate belt as immediate title fight confirmed
Valentina Shevchenko is no longer in possession of the women’s flyweight title, having been sidelined through injury for up to a year; a fight for the vacant belt will be held on October 3.
Natalia Silva will face Wang Cong to become the women’s flyweight champion on October 3, at UFC 332 in Salt Lake City.
Shevchenko, who hasn’t stepped into the octagon since last November, claimed the title versus Alexa Grasso in 2024. She has since staged successful title defences against Manon Fiorot and Zhang Weili.
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The 38-year-old was set to face Silva in October’s title fight, but has now been replaced by Cong. The Kyrgyz-Peruvian fighter is yet to comment publicly on the removal of her UFC belt.
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Fight details: Silva vs Wang at UFC 332
Silva enters the showdown having been slated to face Shevchenko previously. She boasts an impressive 20-5-1 record overall, and is undefeated in eight UFC battles.
In her past three bouts, the Brazilian also beat Grasso, along with Rose Namajunas and Jessica Andrade — all former champions.
Wang brings a 10-1 professional record into the octagon, on a run of four successive victories. She will have an opportunity to claim the 125-pound championship against a moderately-favoured Silva.
Fighting at five years the Brazilian’s senior, Wang’s most recent victory came against Tracy Cortez in July at UFC 329, prevailing by unanimous decision.
The slated battle has since been slammed by fans as an underwhelming event at UFC 332. While Silva’s resume is deserving of a stab at flyweight glory, the strength of her Chinese opponent isn’t valued as highly.
What injury has caused Shevchenko’s one-year layoff?
Details regarding the specifics of Shevchenko’s injury, which forced her to relinquish the flyweight strap, have not yet been revealed.
The 38-year-old is anticipated to be sidelined in a one-year layoff, at an age in which many fighters are verging on retirement.
Initial rumours have surfaced that the Kyrgyz-Peruvian fighter will receive another title opportunity upon her recovery; however, Shevchenko will be almost 40 by that time.
In her most recent bout, ‘Bullet’ tied Amanda Nunes for the most women’s UFC title-fight victories by prevailing against Weili.
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She would have been able to overtake the Brazilian with a win against fellow countrywoman Silva in Salt Lake City.
Kedar Bayley