SALT LAKE CITY — Wang Cong will face Natalia Silva in the UFC 332 main event on Saturday for the vacant flyweight title after champion Valentina Shevchenko relinquished her belt, a booking that delivered one of the biggest surprises when the card was announced.
Silva’s inclusion was widely expected given her win streak and overall record, while Wang’s selection drew curious looks despite her top-10 ranking, with other contenders such as Erin Blanchfield considered worthy but not offered the opportunity. Wang told MMA Fighting she understood the decision. “I’m not surprised,” Wang said. “Because how the rankings go either has a fight booked or they just fought. I’m on a four [fight] win streak and I think it’s my time. I’m always ready for a championship fight. I never take a long break after any of my fights. Even if I only had 17 days to prepare for this fight, my cardio is there.”
Wang also carries history with the now-former champion, having earned a unanimous decision win over Shevchenko in a kickboxing bout back in 2015 before both transitioned to MMA. The narrative of a potential rematch has followed the build to UFC 332, but Wang said it is not her focus heading into fight week. “I’m fully focused on this fight,” Wang said. “Those are things in the future.”
The vacant title fight on Saturday pits two elite strikers, and Wang said rhythm and desire will decide the outcome. “It’s going to be two world-class strikers,” Wang said. “We’re competing and the key to win the fight is takes the rhythm of the fight. It also comes down to desire, who wants it more and we’ll go against each other in the fight.” UFC 332 takes place Saturday in Salt Lake City, Utah.