Following her victory at UFC 332 in Salt Lake City, Utah, last weekend, newly crowned women’s flyweight champion Natalia Silva has pushed back against claims made by former titleholder Valentina Shevchenko. Silva secured the vacant 125-pound belt after outpointing Wang Cong over five grueling rounds, claiming the championship that had been left open during Shevchenko’s injury-related hiatus. The belt isn’t hers” – Natalia Silva responds to Valentina Shevchenko’s “don’t get too comfortable” message after UFC 332 title win.
In the aftermath of the event, Shevchenko took to social media to congratulate the winner, while simultaneously issuing a warning. She suggested that Silva should keep the championship title warm for her eventual return. Addressing these comments in an interview with MMA Fighting, Silva remained defiant, stating plainly that the belt does not belong to the former champion.
Silva emphasized that she is not intimidated by the prospect of a showdown with Shevchenko. However, she noted that other contenders currently warrant a title opportunity more than the former champion does at this stage. The Brazilian fighter explained that while she is open to facing Shevchenko once she is cleared to return to competition, that scenario would only occur if there are no other suitable challengers available.
By securing the win against Wang Cong, Silva has firmly established herself at the top of the flyweight division. Her response highlights a growing confidence as she prepares to defend the title, making it clear that she intends to dictate the pace of the division regardless of Shevchenko’s recent public statements regarding the championship’s future.
