Shevchenko's Coach Explains Flyweight Title Vacancy

Valentina Shevchenko has vacated the UFC women's flyweight championship after sustaining shoulder and back injuries that require eight months of recovery.

Shevchenko's coach Pavel Fedotov confirmed the move after UFC 332 in Salt Lake City was announced with Natalia Silva facing Wang Cong for the now-vacant 125-pound title. "We were supposed to fight on October 3 against Natalia Silva, but due to an injury to the ligaments in the shoulder and back, we decided not to push things and postpone the fight," Fedotov wrote, according to MMA Mania. "Given that the recovery will take a long time, we've made the decision to temporarily vacate the belt, and once she recovers, she will fight for it again."

What Shevchenko's Injury Means For Flyweight Division

The decision follows a recent pattern of injured UFC champions relinquishing their titles rather than holding up divisions. Jamahal Hill gave up the heavyweight/" class="internal-link text-bone underline decoration-ash/30 hover:decoration-gold underline-offset-2">light heavyweight belt after rupturing his Achilles tendon, while Jiri Prochazka vacated the same title following a shoulder injury. Neither fighter regained their championship after returning.

Shevchenko defended the flyweight belt nine times across two separate reigns dating back to 2018. The Silva-Cong matchup marks the first time since 2018 that the division will crown a champion without Shevchenko involved.

Silva vs. Cong is scheduled to headline UFC 332 on a date not yet announced by the promotion.

Reported via:

• MMA Mania — Stripped? Valentina Shevchenko’s coach explains what happened to her women’s flyweight title