Natalia Silva was crowned the new UFC women’s flyweight champion, claiming the vacant title with a unanimous decision victory over China’s Wang Cong at UFC 332.
Silva Valentina Shevchenko was destined to face Kyrgyzstan for the title before their city was stripped when Shevchenko was forced to vacate the belt due to injury last month.
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But the Brazilian extended his winning streak to 15 matches with a dominant victory against Wang over five rounds in Salt Lake City.
“I want to tell everyone this… to take nothing down,” Silva said in an interview after his fight.
“This belt is here because God gave me an opportunity. I knew it.” [Wang] He was a tough fighter. This fight proved why he chased me.
“This is the beginning of Natalia Silva. I am the new queen.”
The 29-year-old, who entered the IRCCA as a favorite, led the judges’ scores with tallies of 48-47, 48-47 and 49-46.
Shevchenko later congratulated Silva on social media and warned her not to get “too comfortable”.
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“Well deserved Natalia! Congratulations,” Shevchenko wrote on the 10th.
“I would like to know that the UFC Champion’s belt is now held by a deserving martial artist – the kind you are.”
“But don’t get too comfortable – keep warm, I’m coming to my belt soon.”
The first women’s main event in the UFC was when Mackenzie Dern defeated Amanda Ribas in January 2025, while the first two women in the main event of the UFC are counted in 2023, when Amanda Nunes defeated Irene Aldana.
Earlier, Britain’s Mick Parkin lasted less than four minutes in the Octagon when he was struck by a knee from Johnny Walker in the Brazilian’s heavyweight debut.