Valentina Shevchenko vacates UFC flyweight title due to injury
9 sources • 2 min read • Latest: Sep 8, 2026, 6:22 AM
Last updated Sep 8, 2026
Valentina Shevchenko officially vacated her UFC women’s flyweight championship on September 6, 2026, following an injury expected to sideline her for up to a year. The announcement occurred during the UFC Paris broadcast. Shevchenko had held the 125-pound title since September 2024, when she defeated Alexa Grasso, and successfully defended the belt against Manon Fiorot and Zhang Weili. With the title now vacant, the organization scheduled a championship bout between Natalia Silva and Wang Cong for UFC 332. This event is set for October 3 at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City. Silva maintains an undefeated UFC record, while Wang enters the match riding a four-fight winning streak. The winner will claim the undisputed flyweight title, potentially positioning them for a future bout against Shevchenko upon her eventual return to competition.
- •Valentina Shevchenko vacated the UFC flyweight championship due to a year-long injury.
- •Natalia Silva and Wang Cong will fight for the vacant title at UFC 332.
- •The championship match takes place October 3 at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City.
- •Shevchenko last competed in November 2025, defeating Zhang Weili by unanimous decision.
- 6:22 AMYahoo Sports — Valentina Shevchenko Suffered Ligament Damage to Shoulder and Back, Coach Reveals UFC 332 Withdrawal Reason
- 5:35 AMSherdog — Valentina Shevchenko’s coach reveals injury behind ‘long’ UFC hiatus
- 5:35 AMYahoo Sports — Valentina Shevchenko’s coach reveals injury behind ‘long’ UFC hiatus
- 5:00 PMMMA Fighting — Valentina Shevchenko’s coach reveals injury that forced Shevchenko to vacate flyweight title - MMA Fighting
- 5:00 PMYahoo Sports — Valentina Shevchenko’s coach reveals injury that forced Shevchenko to vacate flyweight title
- 9:59 PMHeavy.com — Valentina Shevchenko’s Coach Explains Vacating UFC Belt - heavy.com
- 12:17 AMYahoo Sports — Valentina Shevchenko Vacates UFC Flyweight Championship Due to Injury
- 8:21 PMBloody Elbow — UFC 332 main event confirmed: Valentina Shevchenko vacates as contenders fight for her title - Bloody Elbow
"The UFC women’s flyweight division has been thrown into chaos. Valentina Shevchenko has vacated her UFC women’s flyweight championship because of an injury that is expected to keep her sidelined for up to a year. The announcement was made during Saturday’s UFC Paris broadcast, bringing an unexpected end to her latest championship reign. Shevchenko’s Reign…
"Former UFC women’s flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko’s coach explained why she decided to vacate her belt at 125 lbs.The UFC announced during the UFC Paris broadcast that Natalia Silva and Wang Cong will battle it out for the vacant UFC women’s flyweigh…
"Valentina Shevchenko's coach has shed light on the injury that prompted her to vacate the Ultimate Fighting Championship women’s flyweight title.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsSep 8, 2026, 6:22 AMValentina Shevchenko Suffered Ligament Damage to Shoulder and Back, Coach Reveals UFC 332 Withdrawal Reason
Valentina Shevchenko’s camp has shed light on the injury that forced her out of UFC 332 and led to her vacating the women’s flyweight title.
- SherdogSep 8, 2026, 5:35 AMValentina Shevchenko’s coach reveals injury behind ‘long’ UFC hiatus
Valentina Shevchenko's coach has shed light on the injury that prompted her to vacate the Ultimate Fighting Championship women’s flyweight title.
- Yahoo SportsSep 8, 2026, 5:35 AMValentina Shevchenko’s coach reveals injury behind ‘long’ UFC hiatus
Valentina Shevchenko's coach has shed light on the injury that prompted her to vacate the Ultimate Fighting Championship women’s flyweight title.
- MMA FightingSep 7, 2026, 5:00 PMValentina Shevchenko’s coach reveals injury that forced Shevchenko to vacate flyweight title - MMA Fighting
Valentina Shevchenko suffered back and shoulder damage that will keep her sidelined for nearly a year.
- Yahoo SportsSep 7, 2026, 5:00 PMValentina Shevchenko’s coach reveals injury that forced Shevchenko to vacate flyweight title
Valentina Shevchenko is no longer UFC flyweight champion
- Heavy.comSep 6, 2026, 9:59 PMValentina Shevchenko’s Coach Explains Vacating UFC Belt - heavy.com
Former UFC women’s flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko’s coach explained why she decided to vacate her belt at 125 lbs.The UFC announced during the UFC Paris broadcast that Natalia Silva and Wang Cong will battle it out for the vacant UFC women’s flyweigh…
- Yahoo SportsSep 6, 2026, 12:17 AMValentina Shevchenko Vacates UFC Flyweight Championship Due to Injury
The UFC women’s flyweight division has been thrown into chaos. Valentina Shevchenko has vacated her UFC women’s flyweight championship because of an injury that is expected to keep her sidelined for up to a year. The announcement was made during Saturday’s UFC Paris broadcast, bringing an unexpected end to her latest championship reign. Shevchenko’s Reign…
- Bloody ElbowSep 5, 2026, 8:21 PMUFC 332 main event confirmed: Valentina Shevchenko vacates as contenders fight for her title - Bloody Elbow
Shevchenko's second title reign has come to an end
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