Silva earns flyweight #1 contender spot vs Shevchenko

Natalia Silva defeated Rose Namajunas on the UFC 324 main card, solidifying her as the #1 flyweight contender and next title challenger for Valentina Shevchenko. Previously #2, Silva's win locks in a fresh matchup after Shevchenko beat Weili Zhang at UFC 322. Namajunas dropped from #6 to #7 in her flyweight run, now 3-3 since moving up. This advances the flyweight title picture, offering Shevchenko a dynamic striker test. The division gains momentum with Silva's rise as a top prospect. A Silva-Shevchenko booking could headline mid-2026.