At UFC 332, Natalia Silva finally got her hands on UFC gold after defeating Wang Cong in a back-and-forth contest. With the win, Silva became just the fourth undisputed champion in the history of the women’s flyweight division, which was introduced in 2017.
The fight may not have delivered the same wild action as some of the other bouts on the card, but Silva put together a smart and composed performance. She relied on her speed, distance management, and kicking game to frustrate Cong throughout the 25-minute fight.
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The title was up for grabs after Valentina Shevchenko vacated the belt following a back and shoulder injury. When the final horn sounded, the judges scored the fight 48-47, 48-47, and 49-46, all in Silva’s favor.
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Immediately after the bout, Silva made it clear that she wants to be an active champion rather than wait around for Shevchenko to recover from her injuries. While Shevchenko is expected to be Silva’s next opponent, UFC CEO Dana White also advised the Brazilian to stay active while holding the belt.
Silva had already beaten three former champions, including Rose Namajunas, Alexa Grasso, and Jessica Andrade on her way to becoming champion. Now, she appears ready to welcome anyone who steps up for a shot at her newly won title.
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Valentina Shevchenko & Others React to Natalia Silva Becoming UFC Champion at UFC 332
The reaction to Silva’s victory was massive, with Shevchenko taking to X to congratulate the new champion. However, the longtime former champion also warned Silva not to get too comfortable with the belt while she recovers.
She wrote, “Well deserved, Natalia! Congratulations! It’s my pleasure to know that UFC Champion’s belt is now holding deserving martial artist – such as you are ! But don’t get too comfortable — keep it warm, I’m coming soon for my belt!”
Shevchenko wasn’t the only prominent figure in the MMA world to react to Silva’s triumph. Several fighters, analysts, and other notable names had something to say about the new champion’s impressive victory. Here’s what they had to say.
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