Silva Claims Vacant Flyweight Title in Decision as UFC 332 Sets Knockout Record

Key points

• Silva won the vacant title by a 48-47, 48-47, 49-46 decision, extending her winning streak to 15 fights.
• The event set a UFC record with 11 stoppages in 14 bouts, including five first-round finishes in the prelims.
• Payton Talbott defeated Deiveson Figueiredo via first-round TKO, signaling a potential title shot next.
• Valentina Shevchenko vacated the title due to injury, opening the path for Silva and Cong to compete for the belt.

Background

Valentina Shevchenko vacated the women's flyweight title due to a back and shoulder injury, expected to sideline her for at least a year. This left the belt vacant for UFC 332, where Natalia Silva, riding a 14-fight winning streak, faced Wang Cong. Silva had previously defeated former champions Rose Namajunas, Alexa Grasso, and Jessica Andrade.

How outlets are covering it

MMA Junkie detailed the round-by-round action, noting Cong's aggressive pressure in the final three rounds but Silva's early control. CBS Sports analysts predicted Silva would win via decision due to her experience and footwork, which aligned with the final result. Bleacher Report emphasized the card's historic knockout rate, highlighting that while the main event went to decision, the undercard delivered 11 finishes. UFC.com focused on the preliminary bouts, noting eight of nine prelims ended inside the distance, including five first-round stops.

Why it matters

Silva's victory establishes her as the new flyweight champion and a potential successor to Shevchenko. Talbott's finish of Figueiredo positions him as a top contender at bantamweight, with a potential clash against Sean O'Malley. The record-breaking number of knockouts suggests a shift in the UFC's emphasis on high-impact finishes, even on cards with lower star power.

What to watch

Silva will likely face a contender or a former champion next, with a rematch against Alexa Grasso or a future bout with Shevchenko upon her return. Talbott is expected to fight for a title shot, potentially against Sean O'Malley. The UFC may schedule Oliveira vs. Lopes for the BMF title at UFC 335 in December.