Natalia Silva Wins Vacant UFC Women’s Flyweight Title at UFC 332
Silva defeated Wang Cong by decision to claim the vacant 125-pound championship, while analysts debated whether she is the division’s undisputed champion.
Natalia Silva captured the vacant UFC women’s flyweight championship on Saturday night in Salt Lake City, edging out Wang Cong over a 25-minute decision. The victory makes Silva the official titleholder, though many commentators noted that the division’s long-time champion Valentina Shevchenko remains inactive due to injury.
MMA analysts discussed whether Silva can be considered the true champion. One commentator praised Silva’s performance but cautioned that Shevchenko’s record and dominance still place her at the top of the division’s hierarchy. Another analyst argued that, by the strict definition of a champion, Silva holds the belt, but she cannot yet be called the best 125-pound fighter while Shevchenko is still regarded as the GOAT of the weight class.
The event also featured discussions about bantamweight prospect Payton Talbott, who earned back-to-back wins over former champions Henry Cejudo and Deiveson Figueiredo. While his recent victories were highlighted, analysts agreed he still needs to defeat higher-ranked opponents to be considered a genuine contender.
Other notable performances included Roman Kopylov’s upset win as an underdog, Roberto Soldic’s return to form, and Court McGee’s emotional farewell fight in his home state. The card generated mixed reactions, with some praising its excitement and others noting a prevalence of mismatches and “vanity titles.”