Valentina Shevchenko did not willingly give up the flyweight title, according to a new report, with the UFC pushing her to step away after an injury left the promotion short of other options for a title fight. The report states Shevchenko has a lingering injury, but that she would still be champion had another title fight been available for October 3. She was reportedly told she would be taken care of with a title shot upon her return. Natalia Silva became the new 125-pound champion this past weekend in Salt Lake City, and Shevchenko has yet to speak publicly on the matter.
Valentina Shevchenko reportedly did not walk away from the flyweight title on her own terms. According to a new report that has not been officially confirmed, the UFC pushed her to relinquish the belt after an injury left the promotion without another option for a title fight on October 3.
The report states that Shevchenko is dealing with a lingering injury, but that she would still hold the 125-pound title had a different championship bout been available for the date. She was reportedly told she would be taken care of with a title shot when she returns. Shevchenko has yet to speak publicly on the matter.
Natalia Silva then claimed the vacant championship this past weekend in Salt Lake City, at UFC 332.
The departing champion
Shevchenko, nicknamed "Bullet," holds a 26-4-1 record and is 38 years old. The Kyrgyzstan native trains out of Tiger Muay Thai and fights from a southpaw stance. She is a technically polished striker, landing 3.14 significant strikes per minute at 52 percent accuracy, and she averages 2.62 takedowns per 15 minutes. Standing five-foot-five with a 66-inch reach, she has long been one of the most complete fighters in the women's divisions.
The new champion
Silva, a 29-year-old Brazilian from Team Borracha, carries a 21-5-1 record and entered the title picture as the division's top-ranked contender. She is also a southpaw, listed at five-foot-four with a 65-inch reach. Her output is notably higher than Shevchenko's, at 4.81 significant strikes per minute, though with lower accuracy at 45 percent. She rarely looks for takedowns, averaging 0.43 per 15 minutes.
Why it matters
- If the report is accurate, it raises questions about how the UFC handles injured champions when no replacement title fight is available.
- Shevchenko's reported promise of a title shot on her return could set up a future bout against Silva, though nothing of the sort has been announced.
- Silva's reign begins under unusual circumstances, with the previous champion's exit disputed in the reporting.
Saturday, October 3, 2026
