Wang Cong is aware of the negative feedback surrounding the UFC 332 main event she is headlining on Saturday, but she believes that once she performs in the octagon, fans will reconsider their opinions. This event, airing on Paramount+ at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, features a women’s flyweight title fight between Cong (10-1 MMA, 5-1 UFC) and Natalia Silva (20-5-1 MMA, 8-0 UFC). The matchup has faced considerable online criticism over its perceived lack of star power and overall quality. The title at stake was vacated by Valentina Shevchenko due to injury.
Despite the backlash, Cong remains unfazed and is confident she will silence doubters with her performance. “I don’t think it’s unfair or anything,” she said in an interview with MMA Junkie. “The UFC must have a plan, and I believe my performance will prove the critics wrong.”
Cong previously defeated Shevchenko in a 2015 kickboxing match. When she first joined the UFC, she dreamed of challenging Shevchenko for the belt, who is widely regarded as the greatest women’s flyweight of all time. While the circumstances leading to this title shot were unexpected, Cong still hopes to face Shevchenko for the belt down the line. “I originally thought I’d challenge Valentina for the belt, but it’s okay,” Cong explained. “Now it’s my time to win the belt, and then hopefully she’ll challenge me in the future.”
It’s common for fans to question the legitimacy of a new champion who wins a title after the reigning champ vacates it. However, Cong believes she doesn’t need to beat Shevchenko to establish herself as the true flyweight champ—she just needs to wear the belt. “I don’t feel I need to prove myself by beating her to be the real flyweight champion,” she stated. “She’s just being herself; she’s not unbeatable, that’s just how I see it.”
Fan Take: This fight is a pivotal moment for the women’s flyweight division, as it offers a chance for new talent to rise while the sport’s top competitor recovers. If Wang Cong can prove herself as a worthy champion, it could reshape the division’s landscape and bring fresh excitement to women’s MMA.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
