Updated: September 20, 2026 | America Newsline Sports
UFC 332 is heading toward one of the most intriguing women’s flyweight title fights of the fall as Natalia Silva takes on Wang Cong for the vacant UFC women’s flyweight championship on October 3, 2026.
The event will take place at Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, with the UFC officially announcing Silva vs. Wang as the undisputed flyweight championship main event. The event is scheduled to air in the United States on CBS and Paramount+.
The title became vacant after former champion Valentina Shevchenko relinquished the belt because of an injury, changing the original plans for the October 3 card.
Now, Silva and Wang have the opportunity to become the next UFC women’s flyweight champion.
🚨 UFC 332 Latest News: Silva vs Wang Is Now a Championship Fight
The biggest UFC 332 development is official:
Natalia Silva vs. Wang Cong
Division: Women’s Flyweight
Weight: 125 pounds
Title: Vacant UFC Women’s Flyweight Championship
Date: Saturday, October 3, 2026
Venue: Delta Center
Location: Salt Lake City, Utah
Broadcast: CBS and Paramount+
Status: Official main event
The matchup was announced after Shevchenko’s withdrawal and subsequent vacancy of the championship. UFC confirmed that Silva and Wang would fight for undisputed flyweight gold, rather than an interim championship.
That distinction is important because the winner will leave UFC 332 as the division’s recognized champion.
Why Valentina Shevchenko Is No Longer in the UFC 332 Main Event
The UFC 332 story originally centered around Valentina Shevchenko vs. Natalia Silva.
That matchup changed when Shevchenko was forced out because of an injury.
Reports indicated that the former champion could face an extended absence, with some reporting suggesting a potential layoff of up to a year. The UFC subsequently moved forward with Silva vs. Wang for the vacant championship.
The exact nature and recovery timetable of Shevchenko’s injury should be treated as subject to further official updates.
For UFC fans, however, the immediate question is now straightforward:
Who will leave Salt Lake City with the women’s flyweight championship?
Natalia Silva: The Unbeaten UFC Run at the Center of UFC 332
Natalia Silva enters UFC 332 with a significant run behind her.
According to current reporting, Silva is 20–5–1 overall and 8–0 in the UFC, while riding a 14-fight winning streak dating back to 2018.
Her recent UFC résumé is particularly notable.
Silva has defeated former UFC champions Rose Namajunas, Alexa Grasso and Jessica Andrade in her three most recent UFC victories, according to MMA Fighting’s event report.
Those victories have established Silva as one of the division’s most accomplished current contenders.
Now she gets the opportunity to turn that run into UFC championship gold.
Wang Cong: China’s Rising UFC Contender Gets Her Biggest Opportunity
Standing opposite Silva will be Wang Cong, who enters the biggest fight of her UFC career.
Wang currently holds a reported 10–1 professional MMA record and has won four consecutive UFC fights after suffering her lone professional loss in 2024.
Her background also extends beyond MMA.
Wang is a highly experienced kickboxer, and one of the most interesting historical connections surrounding UFC 332 is her previous meeting with Shevchenko.
Wang defeated Shevchenko in a 2015 kickboxing bout, giving the UFC 332 championship fight an unusual historical connection to the former champion.
That history has naturally become part of the buildup to the October 3 championship fight.
Silva vs Wang: Why This Fight Matters
UFC 332 represents more than another fight on the calendar.
The women’s flyweight division is entering a new chapter following Shevchenko’s departure from the championship position.
The winner of Silva vs. Wang will become the new undisputed champion and establish the next phase of the division.
Major storylines include:
- A vacant UFC championship is at stake.
- Silva brings an unbeaten UFC record.
- Wang brings a four-fight UFC winning streak.
- Wang has a previous kickboxing victory over Shevchenko.
- Silva has recently defeated three former UFC champions.
- The winner becomes the new women’s flyweight champion.
UFC 332 Fight Card: Full Current Lineup
The UFC 332 card has continued to develop, with several important fights already announced.
Main Event
Natalia Silva vs. Wang Cong
Women’s Flyweight Championship
The vacant 125-pound championship is on the line.
Co-Main Event
Deiveson Figueiredo vs. Payton Talbott
Bantamweight
Former two-time UFC flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo will meet rising bantamweight Payton Talbott.
Figueiredo has recently struggled for consistency, while Talbott has emerged as a highly regarded younger fighter. MMA Fighting reported that Figueiredo enters the bout looking to rebound from a difficult recent run.
King Green vs. Esteban Ribovics
Lightweight
Another important matchup on the main card is King Green vs. Esteban Ribovics.
The fight adds veteran experience and lightweight divisional implications to the UFC 332 lineup.
Khaos Williams vs. Roberto Soldic
Welterweight
The welterweight matchup between Khaos Williams and Roberto Soldic is also scheduled for the card.
Ateba Gautier vs. Roman Kopylov
Middleweight
Ateba Gautier and Roman Kopylov are scheduled to meet in another main-card matchup.
Other UFC 332 Fights to Watch
The developing card also includes several preliminary matchups.
Current listings include:
- Imanol Rodriguez vs. Alden Coria
- Damian Pinas vs. Andrey Pulyaev
- Marcus McGhee vs. Bernardo Sopaj
- Johnny Walker vs. Mick Parkin
- Rafael dos Anjos vs. Alexander Hernandez
- Marvin Vettori vs. Ismail Naurdiev
- Court McGee vs. Tom Nolan
The exact bout order can change before fight night. Earlier UFC 332 reporting also highlighted Johnny Walker’s planned heavyweight debut against Mick Parkin and Marvin Vettori’s return against Ismail Naurdiev.
Johnny Walker’s UFC 332 Heavyweight Debut
One of the card’s interesting secondary storylines is Johnny Walker moving to heavyweight.
Walker was previously associated with the light heavyweight division and had already been scheduled to make the move before an earlier opponent change disrupted those plans.
He is currently scheduled to face Mick Parkin at UFC 332.
The bout gives fans another storyline to follow beyond the championship main event.
Marvin Vettori Returns at UFC 332
Former middleweight title challenger Marvin Vettori is also scheduled to compete.
Vettori is expected to face Ismail Naurdiev.
The matchup is particularly significant for Vettori because he enters it after a difficult stretch and will be looking to change the direction of his recent results. MMA Fighting reported that the Italian has been attempting to snap a four-fight losing streak.
UFC 332 Schedule: Date, Venue and Broadcast
UFC 332: Silva vs. Wang
Date: Saturday, October 3, 2026
Venue: Delta Center
City: Salt Lake City, Utah
Main Event: Natalia Silva vs. Wang Cong
Championship: UFC Women’s Flyweight
U.S. Broadcast: CBS
Streaming: Paramount+
The UFC’s official event listing currently shows the event at the Delta Center and lists 5:00 p.m. PDT on its event page. Current event reporting lists the main card at 8 p.m. ET, with preliminary action beginning earlier on Paramount+.
Because broadcast schedules can change, readers should check the official UFC listing and local CBS/Paramount+ schedules closer to fight night.
What Time Is UFC 332?
For U.S. viewers, current listings indicate:
Prelims: Around 4 p.m. ET
Main Card: Around 8 p.m. ET
Main Event: Later in the main card
The exact time Natalia Silva and Wang Cong enter the Octagon will depend on the length of the earlier fights.
The UFC’s official event listing currently provides the event time in Pacific Time, while independent event listings provide the Eastern Time schedule.
How to Watch UFC 332
For U.S. audiences, UFC 332 is scheduled to be available through:
CBS
The main card is scheduled for broadcast on CBS.
Paramount+
The event is also scheduled to be available through Paramount+, including the preliminary portion of the card according to current listings.
The UFC has officially confirmed the CBS and Paramount+ distribution for Silva vs. Wang.
UFC 332 and the New Flyweight Championship Era
The vacancy created by Shevchenko’s injury makes UFC 332 particularly important for the women’s 125-pound division.
For years, Shevchenko was one of the defining names at flyweight.
Now a new champion will emerge.
Silva enters with an undefeated UFC record and a long winning streak.
Wang enters with a strong recent run and an unusual connection to the former champion.
The championship implications extend beyond October 3 because the winner will immediately become the division’s central figure.
Natalia Silva vs Wang Cong: Styles and Key Areas to Watch
Rather than trying to predict a winner, several technical areas will be worth following during the fight.
1. Silva’s momentum
Silva has won 14 consecutive fights according to current reporting. Her ability to maintain that form against Wang will be one of the central questions.
2. Wang’s striking background
Wang’s kickboxing experience is a major part of her background, making the stand-up exchanges particularly interesting.
3. Championship-round experience
The fight is scheduled for five rounds because the UFC women’s flyweight championship is at stake.
4. Fight management
The championship setting will test how each fighter handles five-round preparation, pacing and adjustments.
5. Pressure of a vacant title
Neither fighter is defending the championship. Instead, both are fighting for the opportunity to become the next champion.
The Shevchenko Connection Adds Another Layer
Perhaps the most unusual subplot is Wang’s previous kickboxing victory over Shevchenko.
That bout occurred years before Wang entered the UFC.
Now, following Shevchenko’s departure from the flyweight championship picture, Wang has an opportunity to win the UFC title that Shevchenko previously held.
That makes the history particularly interesting without determining what will happen in the Octagon on October 3.
UFC 332 Has Faced Criticism — Here’s What the Debate Is About
The UFC 332 announcement generated considerable discussion among MMA fans and commentators.
Some criticism has focused on the mainstream profile of Silva and Wang compared with other UFC headliners.
Former UFC fighter and commentator Brendan Schaub publicly criticized the matchup in unusually strong terms, while other coverage has noted that the event’s championship status and Silva’s résumé provide a substantial sporting context for the fight.
Former UFC flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo, who is competing in the co-main event, has defended the card and said the criticism is frustrating. He pointed to the quality of the matchups and his own preparation for Talbott.
For readers, the key distinction is that the criticism represents individual opinions, not an official UFC assessment of the event.
Why Natalia Silva’s UFC Résumé Is Important
Silva’s case for the title fight is based heavily on her recent competition.
Her last three UFC victories have reportedly come against:
- Rose Namajunas
- Alexa Grasso
- Jessica Andrade
All three are former UFC champions.
Silva’s 8–0 UFC record and 14-fight overall winning streak have therefore become central parts of the UFC 332 story.
Why Wang Cong’s Background Is Different
Wang’s road to the title has followed a different trajectory.
She has won four consecutive UFC fights after suffering her first professional MMA defeat in 2024.
Her striking pedigree and kickboxing history make her one of the more distinctive challengers to enter the UFC women’s flyweight championship picture.
The matchup therefore brings together two fighters with very different paths to the vacant championship.
UFC 332: Key Fighters to Follow
⭐ Natalia Silva
Record: 20–5–1
UFC: 8–0
Storyline: 14-fight winning streak and three consecutive victories over former champions.
⭐ Wang Cong
Record: 10–1
UFC: Four-fight UFC winning streak
Storyline: Kickboxing background and former 2015 victory over Shevchenko.
⭐ Deiveson Figueiredo
Former UFC flyweight champion competing against Payton Talbott in the co-main event.
⭐ Payton Talbott
One of the younger names featured prominently on the UFC 332 card and Figueiredo’s co-main-event opponent.
⭐ Marvin Vettori
Former middleweight title challenger returning against Ismail Naurdiev.
⭐ Johnny Walker
Moving into the heavyweight division against Mick Parkin.
UFC 332: Questions Fans Are Asking
Who is fighting for the UFC women’s flyweight title?
Natalia Silva vs. Wang Cong.
Why is the title vacant?
Former champion Valentina Shevchenko vacated the championship following an injury.
When is UFC 332?
Saturday, October 3, 2026.
Where is UFC 332?
Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Who is the co-main event?
Deiveson Figueiredo vs. Payton Talbott.
What channel is UFC 332 on?
The event is scheduled for CBS and Paramount+ in the United States.
Is Silva vs Wang an interim title fight?
No. UFC has announced the matchup as a fight for the undisputed vacant women’s flyweight championship.
UFC 332 Championship Stakes
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Event | UFC 332 |
| Main Event | Natalia Silva vs. Wang Cong |
| Division | Women’s Flyweight |
| Weight | 125 lbs |
| Championship | Vacant UFC Flyweight Title |
| Date | October 3, 2026 |
| Venue | Delta Center |
| Location | Salt Lake City, Utah |
| Main U.S. Broadcast | CBS |
| Streaming | Paramount+ |
| Silva’s UFC Record | 8–0 |
| Silva’s Overall Record | 20–5–1 |
| Wang’s Overall Record | 10–1 |
| Co-Main Event | Figueiredo vs. Talbott |
The records and championship information reflect current reporting as of September 20, 2026.
What Happens After UFC 332?
The outcome of Silva vs. Wang will immediately shape the women’s flyweight division.
Several established contenders remain in the wider championship picture, while former champion Shevchenko’s eventual return could become another major storyline depending on her recovery.
The UFC’s current rankings list Natalia Silva at No. 1 in the women’s flyweight division, adding additional context to her title opportunity.
That means UFC 332 could mark the beginning of a new championship era rather than simply another event on the schedule.
UFC 332: The Biggest Storylines Before Fight Night
🔥 A vacant championship
For the first time in this current transition, the women’s flyweight division will crown a new champion.
🇧🇷 Natalia Silva’s unbeaten UFC run
Silva enters after eight consecutive UFC victories.
🇨🇳 Wang Cong’s opportunity
Wang gets her first UFC championship opportunity after four consecutive UFC wins.
👑 The Shevchenko connection
Wang previously defeated Shevchenko in kickboxing.
🥊 Figueiredo vs. Talbott
The co-main event provides another major fight with significant implications for both fighters.
⚡ Johnny Walker at heavyweight
Walker’s move to heavyweight is another storyline to monitor.
🔄 Marvin Vettori’s return
The former title challenger returns against Naurdiev.
📺 CBS and Paramount+
UFC 332 continues the promotion’s new U.S. broadcast arrangement.
UFC 332 Final Preview
The October 3 event in Salt Lake City will introduce a new UFC women’s flyweight champion.
Natalia Silva arrives with an undefeated UFC record, a 14-fight overall winning streak and three recent wins over former UFC champions.
Wang Cong arrives with a four-fight UFC winning streak and a unique history with former champion Valentina Shevchenko.
The championship became available after Shevchenko’s injury forced a change to the original UFC 332 plans.
Meanwhile, Figueiredo vs. Talbott, King Green vs. Esteban Ribovics, Khaos Williams vs. Roberto Soldic, Ateba Gautier vs. Roman Kopylov, Johnny Walker vs. Mick Parkin and Marvin Vettori vs. Ismail Naurdiev give the card several additional storylines to follow.
With UFC 332 scheduled for October 3 at Delta Center, the final weeks before fight night will likely bring additional developments involving weigh-ins, fighter availability, training-camp updates, bout order and official broadcast information.
America Newsline will continue updating this UFC 332 coverage with confirmed fight-week news, official announcements, weigh-in results, last-minute card changes and post-fight results.
Last updated September 20, 2026. UFC fight cards, bout order and broadcast details can change because of injuries, medical clearances or other official announcements. Information marked as developing should be rechecked closer to fight night.