Silva and Wang Compete for Vacant UFC Flyweight Title at UFC 332

UFC 332 took place on October 3, 2026, at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, featuring Natalia Silva and Wang Cong competing for the vacant women's flyweight championship in the main event. The title became available after reigning champion Valentina Shevchenko vacated it approximately one month prior due to back and shoulder injuries, forcing a significant change to the event's original headline matchup.

Silva, a 29-year-old Brazilian fighter, entered the bout as the top-ranked challenger with a UFC record of 20–5–1 and a 14-fight winning streak. She had been originally scheduled to face Shevchenko but adapted her preparation after the champion's withdrawal. "We were preparing for Valentina strategically," Silva explained through an interpreter. "Sparring was based on Valentina. They were emulating Valentina and everything was focused on her... about 30 days I had to prepare, and we started preparing for my current opponent." Wang Cong, a 34-year-old Chinese fighter ranked eighth in the division, carried a record of 10–1 into the matchup and a four-fight winning streak. Betting odds favored Silva at approximately -205 to -210 across sportsbooks.

Wang, a former professional kickboxer with documented striking credentials, brought an aggressive fighting style to the championship bout. She notably defeated Shevchenko in a 2015 kickboxing match by unanimous decision under the Kunlun Fight banner. Wang expressed confidence despite pre-fight criticism of the matchup. "This fight is definitely going to be exciting," Wang said through an interpreter. "We're going to use this performance to shut (the critics) up." According to ESPN Research, UFC 332 marked the first UFC numbered event headlined by women in 2026, highlighting broader trends in women's MMA promotion that year.

The co-main event featured a bantamweight clash between Deiveson Figueiredo, a two-time former UFC flyweight champion, and Payton Talbott, a Las Vegas-based fighter ranked 12th in the division. The card also included bouts featuring prospects such as Ateba Gautier, a 24-year-old undefeated fighter from Cameroon with a 5–0 UFC record. Veterans including Marvin Vettori, Rafael dos Anjos, and Court McGee also competed on the preliminary card. The event was broadcast on Paramount+ and CBS.