Valentina Shevchenko congratulated new UFC women’s flyweight champion Natalia Silva, then warned her not to get attached to the belt.
Silva beat Wang Cong by unanimous decision at UFC 332 on Saturday in Salt Lake City to claim the vacant title. The judges scored it 48-47, 48-47 and 49-46.
Shevchenko posted on X after the fight.
Well deserved Natalia! Congratulations! It’s my pleasure to know that UFC Champion’s belt is now holding deserving martial artist – such as you are!
Then she turned to her own plans.
But don’t get too comfortable, keep it warm, I’m coming soon for my belt!
Shevchenko, 38, vacated the title due to injury in September. Reports at the time said she could be out for about a year, and she has kept a low profile since the announcement.
She is 26-4-1 overall and 15-3-1 in the UFC. No fighter in the history of the women’s flyweight division has a stronger resume. Silva vs. Wang was the first vacant title fight at 125 pounds since Nicco Montaño won the inaugural belt in 2017.
Silva, 29, is now 9-0 in the UFC and has won 15 straight fights. Her recent run includes wins over three former champions: Jessica Andrade, Alexa Grasso and Rose Namajunas.
Grasso, who beat Manon Fiorot in September, is the expected front-runner for Silva’s first defense. Nothing has been made official.
