Natalia Silva is the new face of women's flyweight after putting gold around her waist in the UFC 332 main event.
Although it comes with a significant footnote, Silva (21-5-1 MMA, 9-0 UFC) can now claim to be the best in the world at her weight after outworking Wang Cong (10-2 MMA, 5-2 UFC) to a unanimous decision in Saturday's headliner at Delta Center in Salt Lake City.
The fight wasn't one to be remembered – especially on a card with a record-setting 11 knockout results – but in the end Silva's movement-heavy and unorthodox style brought her to the promised land of title glory.
Silva, 29, now is just the fourth to hold that belt in this weight class, but the footnote is that it's the product of Valentina Shevchenko vacating due to injury. She didn't
beat the standing champion, and Wang certainly is not the next most-proven contender – and arguably not close to it, at that.
Nevertheless, this is the sport in 2026: One person's misery is another person's fortune, and if Shevchenko isn't able to play the game, then it continues without her. The question is, when will she be able to jump back in? No time soon, it seems – at least from the tone of UFC CEO Dana White, who urged Silva to keep active after her title win.
The Brazilian agreed with White, too. She said she won't wait for Shevchenko (26-4-1 MMA, 15-3-1 UFC) and will be ready to fight anyone whenever called upon.
As it stands now, Alexa Grasso might be the most likely name on the other end of that call.
Grasso (18-5-1 MMA, 10-5-1 UFC) has put together two straight wins and is the highest ranked behind Silva. She was out of the picture when Shevchenko was champ after their long rivalry, but now the Mexican star looks to be in prime position to pounce and get a shot at winning the belt back.
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Mick Maynard's Shoes: What's next for Natalia Silva after UFC 332 title win?
