Valentina Shevchenko has been closely monitoring the UFC 332 flyweight title she recently gave up, and it seems she has no intention of staying away from it for long. Shortly after Natalia Silva secured the UFC women’s flyweight championship by defeating Wang Cong via unanimous decision, Shevchenko (26-4-1 MMA, 15-3-1 UFC) shared her reaction in a post on X.
“Well deserved, Natalia! Congrats! It’s my honor to see the UFC Champion’s belt in the hands of a worthy martial artist like you! But don’t get too comfortable — keep it warm, because I’m coming back soon for my belt!” Shevchenko wrote.
At this time, there’s no clear timeline for Shevchenko’s return to competition. She has been relatively silent since the UFC announced she would relinquish the title due to injury, the severity of which remains undisclosed.
At 38 years old, Shevchenko is regarded as one of the greatest female fighters ever and arguably the most accomplished flyweight in women’s MMA history. Saturday’s match marked the first title bout in the division without her involvement.
Natalia Silva, 29, is riding a 15-fight winning streak. The UFC might be setting up a bout between Silva and top contender Alexa Grasso next, but nothing has been confirmed yet.
Fan Take: This moment is a significant turning point for women’s flyweight in the UFC, showcasing new talent like Silva while fans eagerly await Shevchenko’s comeback. Her return could reignite one of the division’s fiercest rivalries and elevate the sport’s competitive landscape even further.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
