Tonight, Saturday, October 3, 2026, the UFC women’s Flyweight contenders Natalia Silva and Wang Cong will face off at UFC 332, held at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Silva’s career had a shaky start with a 1-3 record when she was only 18, over a decade ago. However, since 2018, she has dramatically turned things around, winning 14 consecutive fights, earning her spot in the UFC, climbing the ladder, and securing her first title shot. Now 29, Silva combines youthful energy with a wealth of experience and is clearly in her prime.
Wang Cong brings extensive experience from her Sanda background starting in 2013, and notably defeated Valentina Shevchenko in kickboxing in 2015, setting the stage for her MMA career. Since entering the UFC cage in 2022, Cong has quickly made a name for herself as a world-class fighter, boasting a 5-1 UFC record.
Looking at the betting odds:
- Silva is favored to win at -215.
- Silva by TKO/KO/DQ stands at +700.
- Silva winning via submission is +1000.
- Silva by decision is nearly even at -105.
- Cong by TKO/KO/DQ is +850.
- Cong via submission is a long shot at +2500.
- Cong winning by decision is +270.
Silva, with a strong Taekwondo foundation, relies heavily on her kicks, delivering a high volume of attacks to wear down opponents. While her boxing technique is more about raw athleticism and aggressiveness than finesse, her relentless striking often overwhelms rivals. She can grow stronger as bouts progress, and strategically, she needs to incorporate more punches, especially jabs and body shots, to complement her kicks and establish control in close exchanges. With superior MMA experience, Silva should also look to mix in takedowns to surprise Cong.
Cong, a seasoned Sanda and kickboxing expert, excels on her feet with power and precise combinations. This matchup suits her striking-oriented style better than potential clashes with elite grapplers. To neutralize Silva’s kicking game, Cong should leverage classic Sanda tactics like catching kicks and turning them into takedowns. She could also focus on attacking Silva’s legs to reduce her mobility and force more exchanges in the pocket where Cong feels strongest. Applying pressure, cutting off the cage, and targeting Silva’s midsection will be key strategies for her success.
Prediction: This fight will likely mirror a Sanda-style matchup with many side kicks and striking exchanges. Given her credentials as a world Sanda champion and her notable advantage in boxing power and technique, Wang Cong is favored to edge out Silva by decision. Silva’s speed is a challenge, but Cong’s disciplined body attacks and leg kicks should eventually diminish that edge. Expect Cong to secure a significant win that sets up a future title showdown with Valentina Shevchenko.
Fan Take: This highly anticipated clash highlights the rising influence of striking arts like Sanda and Taekwondo in women’s MMA, showcasing how diverse martial arts shape the Flyweight division. A win for Cong could shake up the division, renewing excitement for matchups with established stars and raising the profile of global striking styles in the sport.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
