Natalia Silva and Wang Cong will compete for the vacant title, a development that came after reigning champion Valentina Shevchenko was forced to withdraw due to injury. Shevchenko's injury led to her vacating the belt, opening the door for a new champion to be crowned.
Silva's Undefeated UFC Run
Natalia Silva, currently ranked #1 in the women's flyweight division and #4 pound-for-pound, enters this championship opportunity with an unblemished UFC record of 8-0-0. Her impressive run includes a seven-fight win streak before her last bout, which she extended to eight with a unanimous decision victory over Rose Namajunas in January 2026 at UFC 324. Prior to that, Silva secured unanimous decision wins against Alexa Grasso in May 2025 and Jessica Andrade in September 2024, showcasing her consistent dominance in the division. The 28-year-old southpaw, standing 5 feet 4 inches tall with a 65-inch reach, has demonstrated formidable defensive grappling, boasting a UFC takedown defense rate of 96% before her last fight.
Wang Cong's Ascent to Title Contention
Challenging Silva for the gold is Wang Cong, who holds a UFC record of 5-1-0 and is ranked #8 in the women's flyweight division. The 34-year-old southpaw, who is 5 feet 6 inches tall with a 65-inch reach, is on a three-fight win streak in the UFC. Her most recent victory came in July 2026 at UFC 329, where she defeated Tracy Cortez by unanimous decision. Before that, Cong earned unanimous decision wins against Eduarda Moura in February 2026 and Ariane da Silva in June 2025. Known for her striking prowess, Cong has a background as a former world Sanda champion and world boxing silver medalist. Her UFC takedown defense stands at 92% before her last fight.
Fighter Perspectives and Outside Commentary
The change in opponent for Silva, from Shevchenko to Cong, required a strategic pivot in her training camp. According to reports, Silva expressed that while she was initially focused on Shevchenko, her attention quickly shifted to her new opponent. Wang Cong, for her part, has embraced the spotlight, emphasizing the importance of generating excitement for the fight. She told Field Level Media that both fighters need to elevate the moment and that they need to "bring the money to the show. We need to make people hype." Cong also stated, "We're going to use this performance to shut (the critics) up." The matchup has drawn some criticism from outside observers, with former fighter Brendan Schaub calling the main event a "tragedy" on his YouTube channel, arguing that other women were more deserving of the title shot.
The Championship Clash
With both fighters employing a southpaw stance, the main event is anticipated to be a strategic striking battle. Early betting lines indicate that Natalia Silva is favored to win the championship. The event marks a significant moment for the UFC, as the entire main card of a numbered event will air on CBS, a first in the promotion's history. The co-main event will feature a bantamweight clash between former flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo and rising contender Payton Talbott.
By the numbers
| Fighter | UFC record | Ranking |
|---|---|---|
| Natalia Silva | 8-0-0 | Women Flyweight #1 |
| Wang Cong | 5-1-0 | Women Flyweight #8 |
UFC records count UFC fights only. Records and rankings from UFC Stats and ufc.com.
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