Silva Wins UFC 332 But Fails To Revive Women's Flyweight

Natalia Silva won the vacant women's flyweight title at UFC 332 on Saturday night, but her decision over Wang Cong did little to change the narrative around women's MMA.

The card in Salt Lake City set multiple records — 11 knockouts, nine first-round finishes, 16 knockdowns — yet the main event had fans booing and heading for the exits early, per MMA Mania. Wang clinched too often instead of throwing combinations. Silva coasted once she believed she had banked three rounds on the scorecards. The result was a new champion who emerged without putting herself on anyone's radar.

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Recent Women's Fights Have Failed To Deliver

Silva versus Wang fits a troubling pattern. Ailin Perez and Norma Dumont generated real heat but produced a forgettable fight. Mackenzie Dern's strawweight title defense against Gillian Robertson dragged across five rounds. Valentina Shevchenko's reign was marked by technical dominance and minimal drama, which is why Silva's coronation was pitched as a potential reset for the division when Shevchenko vacated due to injury.

There are bright spots. Alexa Grasso and Manon Fiorot delivered a genuine scrap at Noche UFC. Casey O'Neill has posted two first-round finishes in 2026 since returning from injury. Kayla Harrison versus Amanda Nunes is set for UFC 334 in November. But as MMA Mania's Ryan Harkness noted, those successes are pinpoints under a blanket of negativity.

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The perception around women's MMA has shifted before — flyweight was once dismissed as boring, and lightweight fighters were accused of lacking knockout power. Both narratives proved false over time. A few more barnburners from the remaining stars, sharper matchmaking from the promotion, and a breakthrough performance or two could turn sentiment around. Harrison versus Nunes at UFC 334 offers the next chance to reverse the slide.

Reported via:

• MMA Mania — UFC 332’s Silva vs. Wang wasn’t the shot in the arm women’s MMA desperately needs