Silva seizes vacant UFC flyweight title as Shevchenko warns 'I'm coming soon for my belt'

Natalia Silva is the UFC’s new women’s flyweight champion after outpointing Wang Cong in the main event of UFC 332 at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday, claiming the vacant 125-pound belt in a hard-fought decision. The fight was made after Valentina Shevchenko relinquished the title to take time away from competition and address lingering injuries.

The win extended Silva’s unbeaten run inside the octagon to nine fights and stretched her overall winning streak to 15 consecutive victories dating back to 2017 — a record that underlines just how thoroughly the Brazilian has earned her shot at gold.

Shevchenko, however, was quick to frame the result as a temporary arrangement. Shortly after the decision was announced, the former champion posted a message on social media that was equal parts congratulation and warning.

“Well deserved, Natalia,” Shevchenko wrote. “Congratulations! … But don’t get too comfortable — keep it warm, I’m coming soon for my belt!”

The message sets up what will almost certainly be the division’s defining matchup once Shevchenko is cleared to compete. The Kyrgyzstan-born fighter owns nine successful title defenses across two separate reigns at flyweight, and a third reign would place her among the most dominant champions in UFC history.

For Silva, the challenge is clear: she arrives as champion but will enter any future meeting with Shevchenko as the underdog. Her 15-fight win streak and perfect octagon record suggest she is more than capable of making a compelling case, but the shadow of her predecessor looms large over the division from the moment the belt was fastened around her waist.