Valentina Shevchenko's second UFC title reign has officially come to a close due to an undisclosed injury, according to an announcement made by officials on Saturday.
Per a UFC broadcast, Shevchenko (26-4-1) will be sidelined for "up to one year" by the injury and has subsequently vacated her flyweight championship. A 125-pound matchup between Natalia Silva (20-5-1) and Wang Cong (10-1) for the vacant title will now headline UFC 332 on Oct. 3 in Salt Lake City.
Shevchenko, 38, had been expected to defend the title against Silva before getting injured. According to the UFC broadcast, she will immediately try to reclaim her title once healthy.
Silva, of Brazil, is the UFC's No. 4-ranked flyweight contender and has earned a title shot with an 8-0 record since signing with the UFC in 2022. Her past five wins have come by decision, against top competition in Rose Namajunas, Alexa Grasso and Jessica Andrade. Wang, of China, is 5-1 in the UFC and has won her past four overall, all by decision.
UFC 332 is set to take place inside Delta Center. The card also features a bantamweight matchup between former flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo and Payton Talbot.
