Valentina Shevchenko vacates flyweight championship; Interim title fight headlines UFC 332

Valentina Shevchenko has vacated the UFC women's flyweight championship due to an undisclosed injury, forcing a reshuffling of the title picture ahead of UFC 332 on October 3 at Salt Lake City's Delta Center.

Natalia Silva and Wang Cong will now headline the card, competing for the undisputed 125-pound title. Silva, a 29-year-old Brazilian, has compiled an unblemished 8–0 record in the UFC and brings a 14-fight winning streak dating to 2018. Her last three victories came against former UFC champions: Rose Namajunas, Alexa Grasso, and Jessica Andrade. Wang, competing out of China, made a standout UFC debut in 2024 with a 62-second knockout of Victoria Leonardo, though she was later submitted by Gabriella Fernandes. The 10–1 fighter has since rebounded with four consecutive wins, including a unanimous decision over Tracy Cortez at UFC 329 in July.

Shevchenko, who last defended her title in November against former 115-pound champion Weili Zhang, was originally scheduled to face Silva at UFC 332 before injury forced her withdrawal. Reports suggest she could be sidelined for up to a year.

The co-main event features another intriguing matchup: former flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo moves up to bantamweight to face rising prospect Payton Talbott. The card also includes King Green vs. Esteban Ribovics at lightweight, Roberto Soldic's UFC debut against Khaos Williams, and Ateba Gautier vs. Roman Kopylov at middleweight. UFC 332 will be broadcast on CBS and Paramount+.