Natalia Silva and Wang Cong will face off for the vacant UFC women’s flyweight title at UFC 332 on Saturday in Salt Lake City. The championship became available after Valentina Shevchenko, the long-reigning flyweight queen, suffered an injury that will sideline her for at least a year, forcing her to relinquish the belt.
Silva enters the fight on a three-fight winning streak, having defeated former champions and established herself as a patient, defensively responsible striker. Wang Cong is known for her aggressive style, throwing a high volume of powerful strikes, though she has faced setbacks including a point deduction in her most recent fight and two bouts at catchweight. UFC 332 needed a headliner after Shevchenko’s injury, so the promotion paired Silva and Cong to crown a new women’s flyweight champion in her absence.
The co-main event at bantamweight features Payton Talbott against Deiveson Figueiredo. Talbott is a rising star and heavy favorite despite a recent loss to Raoni Barcelos, where he struggled to defend takedowns. Figueiredo, a two-time former flyweight champion, has had difficulties in his recent bantamweight bouts but remains a tough competitor. Talbott’s edge in size, power, reach, and strength could allow him to control the fight, either through offensive wrestling or striking, though Figueiredo’s durability may push the contest to the judges.
Other main card bouts include Ateba Gautier versus Roman Kopylov. Gautier has a high finish rate, with nine of his eleven career wins coming by knockout or submission, but Kopylov’s durability will be the test, as he has never lost via strikes in his career. Kopylov’s ability to endure could neutralize Gautier’s power if the fight extends beyond the early rounds.
Another notable matchup pits Soldic against Williams. Soldic carries heavy knockout power, with 18 of 21 professional wins by KO or TKO and multiple boxing knockouts to his name. Williams absorbs over five strikes per minute, which could play a significant role against Soldic’s striking.
Green faces Ribovics in a fight that has drawn attention for its odd betting line. Green brings a more disciplined and efficient striking style compared to the explosive but less defensively sound Ribovics. Green arrives with a four-fight winning streak, and his style might give him the edge despite Ribovics’ aggressive offense.
The Silva versus Cong fight has drawn interest due to the contrasting striking styles. Silva’s defensive approach may help her weather Cong’s high-output aggression. Silva’s perfect UFC record and victories over former champions give her a more proven resume, while Cong’s UFC performances have been inconsistent.
UFC 332 will be broadcast live on CBS starting at 8 p.m. ET, with streaming available on Paramount+ for subscribers. The event’s card has attracted attention from sportsbooks and fans, with analysts and bettors weighing in on several of the main card fights.
The latest development confirms that Silva and Cong will meet to determine the new women’s flyweight champion, filling the void left by Shevchenko’s injury. The event promises a mix of emerging talent and experienced fighters across multiple weight classes.
According to CBS.
