UFC 332 took place in Salt Lake City, Utah, this past Saturday. The headline attraction featured a battle for the vacant women’s flyweight championship between Natalia Silva and Wang Cong.
Heading into the matchup, Silva boasted an undefeated 8-0 promotional record, fresh off a points victory against Rose Namajunas. Meanwhile, Cong was riding a four-bout win streak, most recently securing a decision triumph over Tracy Cortez.
In the end, Silva emerged victorious via decision, despite showing signs of exhaustion as the matchup progressed. Nevertheless, her performance in the opening three frames was sufficient to secure the win. In the wake of UFC 332, let’s take a look at the potential next matchups for these flyweight competitors.
Natalia Silva
By grinding out a decision victory over Wang Cong, Natalia Silva claimed the vacant UFC flyweight belt. Although her stand-up game looked sharp in the early stages, her stamina came into question as she slowed down during the championship rounds.
Expressing a desire to stay busy, Silva has no intention of waiting around for Valentina Shevchenko. Consequently, her initial title defense ought to be booked against former flyweight titleholder Alexa Grasso. Grasso, currently on a two-fight winning streak after defeating Manon Fiorot, has earned the right to challenge for the belt next.
Wang Cong
A sluggish start ultimately cost Wang Cong her opportunity to capture the gold. However, her strong showing in the final rounds provides a solid foundation to build upon, and her imposing physical frame remains a difficult challenge for anyone in the division.
Despite the setback forcing her to regroup, Cong remains a relevant figure in the title conversation. A logical next step would be a matchup against Manon Fiorot, as both fighters look to bounce back from defeats. The defeated party would likely slip into a gatekeeper role for the time being, whereas the victor would put themselves right back in position for a top-contender eliminator.
What matchups would you like to see next for Natalia Silva and Wang Cong following the events of UFC 332?
This piece originally debuted on BJPENN.COM
