Ligament injuries force Shevchenko to vacate UFC flyweight title

Recovery could keep her out for nearly a year.

Wire Report IntelligenceUpdated Sep 81 min read

What happened: Coach Pavel Fedotov said shoulder and back ligament damage ended plans for an Oct. 3 defense against Natalia Silva. Silva will face Wang Cong for the vacant championship at UFC 332 in Salt Lake City.

Why it matters: The injury ends a reign that included nine flyweight title defenses. Fedotov said Shevchenko intends to challenge for the championship after recovering.

By the numbers: Shevchenko is tied for fourth in UFC title-fight wins. Silva carries a 14-fight winning streak into UFC 332, while Wang has won four straight UFC bouts.

What to watch: Silva and Wang meet Oct. 3 to determine the division's next champion. Shevchenko's recovery will shape when she can pursue the belt again.

Sources

MMA Fighting 2026-09-08T01:59:25.496333+00:00

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