A UFC women’s flyweight title fight without Valentina Shevchenko just feels wrong.
The extra belt by “The Ultimate Fighter” in 2017, an all-time great, would now give the champion the first two-year title fight in the division’s nine-year history — an incredible span of 13 streaks. So when the news broke that Shevchenko had dropped her championship, the MMA community was as confused as it was confused.
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And so it became the backdrop for the UFC 332 main event in Salt Lake City on October 3 – flyweight contenders Natalia Silva and Wang Cong, to fight for Shevchenko’s belt. No interim title. For it is the title “What happened to Shevchenko? Is this the best the UFC has to offer?? Is this the number one event headliner??? The following questions — and complaints — are flooding the MMA ecosystem, which has already begun to sour on women’s fights in 2016.
At least, Silva is expected to challenge Shevchenko next. But with the injury revealed likely to keep Shevchenko out of action, the UFC felt compelled to move altogether, rather than create the promotion’s first women’s belt in the interim.
Forks and tomatoes have been on the fly since then, putting Silva and Wang in an almost unfair position. China’s Wang, in particular, continues to be seen as the most out of this picture, which also makes her the most useful.
Wang Cong (L) last fought in July with a win over Tracy Cortez.
(Jeff Bottari via Getty Images)
In No. Sitting 6th in the official UFC flyweight rankings, speaking through an interpreter, Wang announced that a shot at the crown is always next, despite recently defeating Tracy Cortez and challenging for a showdown against veteran competitor Manon Fiorot. Discussions began internally as far back as May before UFC Macau, Wang said.
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Silva, meanwhile, has been preparing for Shevchenko since her January win over Rosa Namajunas.
“At the end of the day, fight and run and my camp will fight holding the belt,” Silva told the crown through an interpreter. “The interest in Valentina’s fight is that she held the belt. I want to be the strongest, and whoever holds that belt is the person I want to make. So I was happy about that.
“My goal and my goal was to actually meet Valentina if the title was there. There’s no frustration, there’s no disappointment. I wanted to fight for the title, and that’s what I’m fighting for, and that’s all that matters.”
However, Shevchenko’s absence cannot be ignored leading into UFC 332. It is perhaps the most important fight yet, and the world will be moved once a new champion is crowned. The problem then becomes the same issue Mackenzie Dern continues to face as in the absence of Zhang Weili’s current UFC title coin purse: Are they really do you beat the avenger if not the avenger?
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It’s an awkward distinction, especially in a game where titles are often treated like pedigrees rather than mere belts. Just as Dern has yet to beat her predecessor Zhang, the winner of Saturday’s 125-pound title tilt will have to wait to do the same with Shevchenko.
“I believe in the future; [I’ll definitely face Shevchenko]”Wang said. “As long as I fight my opponent, I am the real boss. This is for the belt.’
Natalia Silva has been nearly perfect in her eight UFC appearances.
(Chris Unger via Getty Images)
Silva, 29, was much more candid about his feelings on the UFC 332 winner’s ability to claim the state championship. If anyone asks her if she is a “real” champion, she said they have to prove themselves better. Plain and simple.
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“It doesn’t bother me,” he said, “because at the end of the day, if I fight for that title and get that belt and become the champion, the people who … have something to prove to me, who want that belt. If you want it, come and meet me.
“People who are going to be better and people saying the opposite…they’re always going to be there. But they’re the ones who have something to prove to me. I’m not going to prove anything to myself if I become a champion. [this Saturday] and fasten my belt.’
Frustration radiated from Silva’s speaking tone, even as he maintained his composure. It’s not the typical side we’ve seen from the talented Brazilian since his arrival in the UFC in 2022. This is a fighter who has worked his way to the top of the division, winning eight consecutive opportunities, despite having almost three years of injury between his 2020 signing and his official Octagon debut.
There is no need to let go of any of the hard work it took to earn it here because the circumstances of the title shot have changed.
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“People are going to [complain]And people are going to comment that it’s their job. Live that price out. They begin and take their offerings. They’re doing this live,” Silva said. “It’s not our job to listen to that.
“[This is] what I always wanted. This is what I saw. This is what I have worked for, and I am determined to win. If a [champion like Shevchenko] he wants to move to another division or he can’t fight at that moment, that’s what he’s going to do. We can win all the championships, and the belt is in front of us. So we don’t have to worry about anything. People are going to say it anyway.
A big voice ahead of UFC 332. Wang, 34, needs to raise his guard more than usual because he would be a wildcard in this volatile title equation. Giving UFC officials the opportunity to judge over other contenders ranked higher, without question, only added fuel to the criticism already ignited under this main event.
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But Wang’s four-fight winning streak also put her on a trajectory to the end at this moment, even if no one saw this way and this way coming.
“I saw a few” [comments]but I was not looking deeper, “Wang said.” I think on Saturday night, me and my opponent are going to go out there and do our job and prove myself wrong.
“I don’t think if Valentina is there or not, it’s going to make a difference for our division. Our division is the most competitive division, and it’s an exciting division. I think we’ll keep the momentum going.”
Ultimately, UFC 332 marks a new direction for the flyweight, and as the event’s pushback continues to mount, Silva and Wang appear content to channel any negativity out of motivation to deliver. Not only during the fight night, but beyond – Wang noted that his goal is to make his way into the UFC Hall of Fame, filled with future title defenses.
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Silva said very well, but. This is a new chapter in the history of the UFC flyweight division – his 15th title fight, and one that could mark a completely different beginning from the chapter in the history of the party that began with Shevchenko in December 2018.
“What we need to do is not allowed by anyone” [the outside noise] “Don’t trouble me,” he said, “not to me. I am here to do my duty. I have been trained, and I have put myself to work to win battles and be a champion. I will do it whether the people like it or not.
“There is new blood, there is a new moment. Valentina had a moment; [all] fighters have their moments. But this moment is to be the champion of Natalia.