Silva crowned flyweight champ, Shevchenko vows return

UFC 332 delivered a new women's flyweight champion and one of the most finish-heavy cards in promotion history, with Natalia Silva outpointing Wang Cong for the vacant belt and seven straight first-round stoppages setting a record. The UFC used the broadcast to unveil its year-ender, UFC 335, headlined by Charles Oliveira's first BMF defense against Diego Lopes. Payton Talbott made the loudest statement of the night, blasting out Deiveson Figueiredo and pointing at Sean O'Malley.

Natalia Silva outpoints Wang Cong for vacant flyweight title

Silva (21-5-1) used her speed and kicks to win a lopsided-but-tactical unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 49-46) over Wang Cong in the UFC 332 main event in Salt Lake City, claiming the women's flyweight belt vacated by the injured Valentina Shevchenko. Wang surged late over the final two rounds but could not find the finish she needed. Shevchenko immediately took to social media to congratulate Silva and warn her to 'keep it warm,' promising to return for the belt.

Why it matters: Silva becomes just the fourth women's flyweight champion and extends her unbeaten UFC run to 9-0, but a Shevchenko comeback now looms as the defining matchup of her reign.

Talbott torches Figueiredo in a round, points at O'Malley

Payton Talbott (12-1) dropped Deiveson Figueiredo with a straight right in the first seconds and never let up, forcing a TKO stoppage at 2:09 of round one in the co-main event. It is Talbott's second straight win over a former champion following his decision over Henry Cejudo. He called out Sean O'Malley afterward, though O'Malley is angling for a title shot tied to the Petr Yan-Merab Dvalishvili trilogy bout on Nov. 24.

Why it matters: Talbott has forced his way into the bantamweight title conversation; an O'Malley fight would pit two of the division's best strikers, but O'Malley has no incentive to take it unless Dvalishvili wins the belt back.

UFC 335 set: Oliveira defends BMF belt vs. Lopes, Pereira back at heavyweight

The UFC announced its Dec. 12 year-ender at T-Mobile Arena during the UFC 332 broadcast. Charles Oliveira makes his first BMF title defense against Diego Lopes, who moves up to lightweight for the first time. Alex Pereira returns from his loss to Ciryl Gane to face knockout artist Sergei Pavlovich in a five-round heavyweight co-main, with Bo Nickal meeting No. 4 middleweight Joe Pyfer also on the card.

Why it matters: A loaded card gives 2026 a marquee close, and both Pereira and Pavlovich are fighting to re-enter a heavyweight title picture now anchored by champion Ciryl Gane.

Kopylov starches Gautier as UFC 332 sets a finish record

Underdog Roman Kopylov (16-5) picked apart hyped Cameroonian prospect Ateba Gautier before dropping him with a straight left and finishing with ground strikes at 3:12 of the first, handing Gautier his first KO loss. The result was part of a record run of seven consecutive first-round finishes across the card, with Johnny Walker (heavyweight debut knee KO), Damian Pinas, Imanol Rodriguez and Anthony Wint all starching foes. Walker, Pinas, Rodriguez and Kopylov took home $100,000 Performance bonuses.

Why it matters: Gautier's hype train derails against the division's gatekeepers, while a historically violent prelim card reshuffles several prospect stocks at once.

Dos Anjos stopped by Hernandez, hints at the end

Former lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos (31-18) returned from a two-year layoff and looked sharp early before Alexander Hernandez dropped and finished him in the second round for RDA's fourth straight loss. The 41-year-old removed his gloves in the cage, though he stopped short of a formal retirement announcement, saying only 'life moves on' after citing three surgeries and ring rust. It was the 50th pro fight of his career.

Why it matters: A two-time era-defining lightweight appears to be bowing out on a four-fight skid, while Hernandez revives his own career with the biggest win on his resume.

Strickland priced himself off the UFC 335 headline, says it's about money

Sean Strickland's first defense of his second middleweight reign against Nassourdine Imavov was rumored for UFC 335 and, per reporter Alex Behunin, Strickland was healthy and available despite a recent car crash. The champion confirmed on social media that a pay dispute, not injury, is why the fight isn't happening, replying 'Bingo' to a fan who said he wanted more money. Negotiations are expected to resume with a possible target of UFC 336 in January.

Why it matters: The 185-pound title picture stalls over a purse fight, leaving top contender Imavov waiting while the UFC fills its year-ender with a BMF bout instead.

Soldic survives early knockdowns to win octagon debut

Former two-division KSW champion Roberto Soldic, one of the UFC's bigger free-agent signings of the year, weathered two early knockdowns from Khaos Williams before taking over and battering him across rounds two and three for a unanimous-decision welterweight win. Williams showed a granite chin to survive, but Soldic won two 10-8 scorecards in the second. He declined to call anyone out, saying he'll fight whoever the matchmakers send.

Why it matters: After several high-profile outside signings flopped on debut, Soldic proved his skills translate and injects a finisher into a crowded welterweight division.

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