How Natalia Silva's UFC Struggle and Wang Cong's Shock Loss Set Up a Clash for UFC 332 Gold

Silva has waited years for her shot at UFC gold, only for the title fight she wanted to change at the last moment. Now the unbeaten-in-the-UFC Brazilian must overcome Wang Cong, whose own championship run was rebuilt from the wreckage of a stunning upset defeat, at UFC 332.

The pair meet for the vacant women's flyweight title at Salt Lake City's Delta Center on Saturday, 3 October, after Valentina Shevchenko relinquished the belt because of injury. For Silva, it is the culmination of a remarkable rise; for Wang, it is an opportunity to prove that her biggest career setback ultimately made her a more complete fighter.

Silva's Long Road To The Belt

Silva arrived in the UFC in 2022 after a two-and-a-half-year lay-off, but quickly showed why she could become a major force at 125 pounds. She defeated Jasmine Jasudavicius on her debut before stopping Tereza Bleda and Victoria Leonardo, then added victories over Andrea Lee and Viviane Araujo.

The Brazilian's momentum continued against some of the division's biggest names. She defeated former champions Jéssica Andrade and Alexa Grasso before beating Rose Namajunas in January, extending her UFC record to an extraordinary 8-0 and her overall winning streak to 14 fights.

Yet that victory was not entirely straightforward. Namajunas used her range and patience to frustrate Silva's movement, exposing a potential weakness against opponents capable of controlling distance without recklessly chasing her.

That makes Wang a fascinating opponent. Silva's speed, footwork and unpredictability remain her greatest weapons, while her 90.3 per cent takedown defence gives her another layer of protection when opponents try to disrupt her rhythm.

Wang Turned A Shock Loss Into A Title Run

Wang's path has been far less predictable. The Chinese fighter announced herself with a spectacular 62-second knockout of Victoria Leonardo in her UFC debut in 2024, immediately establishing herself as one of the division's most dangerous strikers.

Wang was heavily favoured to beat Gabriella Fernandes but was caught by a counter before being submitted in the second round. It was the first defeat of her MMA career and appeared to derail the momentum surrounding 'The Joker'.

Instead, Wang used the loss to change her approach. She has since won four consecutive fights, defeating Bruna Brasil, Ariane da Silva, Eduarda Moura and Tracy Cortez. UFC reporting says Wang specifically identified patience and composure as lessons from the Fernandes defeat.

Speed Against Pressure

The championship fight could ultimately come down to whether Wang can stop Silva from dictating the range. Silva is at her most dangerous when she can move freely, change angles, and force opponents to reset.

Wang, meanwhile, brings sharp boxing, significant striking volume, and the ability to pressure opponents without abandoning her technique. A recent UFC coaching breakdown identified cutting off Silva's exits rather than simply chasing her as a key tactical challenge.

There is another intriguing layer to Wang's story. She defeated Shevchenko in a 2015 kickboxing bout, creating the possibility of a rematch with the former UFC champion if Wang captures the vacant belt.

Both women will also enter unfamiliar territory: UFC 332 marks their first UFC main event and first scheduled five-round fight. With the contest taking place at altitude in Salt Lake City, conditioning could become increasingly important if Silva's movement and Wang's pressure continue into the championship rounds.

The stakes could hardly be clearer. Silva is attempting to complete her long-awaited journey from UFC newcomer to undisputed champion, while Wang is looking to turn the defeat that once threatened her rise into the foundation of a title-winning career. On Saturday night, only one of them will leave Salt Lake City wearing the UFC women's flyweight belt.