Valentina Shevchenko Puts Natalia Silva on Notice After UFC 332 Title Win
Shevchenko congratulated Silva, then made it clear she is coming back for the flyweight belt.
Natalia Silva barely had time to celebrate before the woman she replaced sent a message.
Silva claimed the vacant UFC women's flyweight championship at UFC 332 on Saturday night, outpointing Wang Cong by unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 49-46) inside the Delta Center in Salt Lake City. It was a competitive five rounds, but Silva's second-round head kick knockdown and her three takedowns proved to be the difference on the scorecards.
The Brazilian improved to 21-5-1 overall and a perfect 9-0 inside the octagon, extending her winning streak to 15. Her resume now includes victories over former champions Jessica Andrade, Alexa Grasso and Rose Namajunas.
But before the confetti settled, Valentina Shevchenko made sure Silva knew the belt was on loan. The former long-reigning champion, who vacated due to injury, posted on social media: "Well deserved Natalia! Congratulations! But don't get too comfortable, keep it warm, I'm coming soon for my belt!"
Shevchenko, who is expected to return in 2027, held the flyweight title for years and clearly considers the division hers. Silva, for her part, told reporters after the fight that this is "my time" and that she plans to be an active champion who puts her title on the line frequently.
"It felt like I was in a sparring session," Silva said of the fight. "I had already lived that."
I love that Shevchenko did this. No waiting around, no polite little Instagram story. She basically told Silva the belt is a loaner. And honestly? Shevchenko has earned the right to talk like that. She ran that division for years.
But here is the thing: Silva is a different kind of problem. Fifteen straight wins, nine of them in the UFC, and she just beat a power puncher over five rounds without looking panicked. That head kick knockdown in the second was nasty. She is not going to hand that belt back because the old champ asked nicely.
If Shevchenko comes back healthy in 2027, this is genuinely the biggest fight you can make in women's MMA. Silva's "my time" versus Shevchenko's "my belt." I think Shevchenko is going to find out that this version of Silva is a whole different animal than anyone she faced before.
