Wang Cong Blames First-Round Eye Poke for Flat UFC 332 Title Fight

Wang Cong has offered an explanation for her underwhelming performance in the UFC 332 main event. The Chinese fighter says a first-round eye poke from Natalia Silva obstructed her vision and set the tone for a cautious, flat showing.

"Because of the first round my eye was poked in the second half," Wang said in a translated statement, per MMA Mania. "The line of sight was blocked."

Silva won the vacant flyweight title by unanimous decision with scores of 49-46, 48-47, and 48-47. Wang showed life in the later rounds, picking up at least one scorecard in rounds three through five depending on the judge, but it was not enough to overcome the early deficit.

Wang acknowledged the loss with grace. "Thank you for supporting my friends. The game is lost. What a pity. I have some regrets," she posted after the fight, committing to review the tape and improve.

UFC CEO Dana White was less sympathetic. He told reporters at the post-fight press conference that Wang could have changed the outcome if she had engaged earlier. "If she had stepped on the gas a little earlier, it would have been a completely different fight," White said. "It was close."

The main event was widely criticized as the weakest fight on a card that set a UFC record with 11 knockouts. Wang entered with momentum and knockout power but never uncorked it until the damage was done.