Valentina Shevchenko renounces UFC championship belt due to injury
Quick Look
- Valentina Shevchenko, 38, has relinquished her UFC flyweight title due to an injury she suffered while training for her fight against Natalia Silva.
- Recovery will take about a year, and a return to the octagon is in question due to his age.
- The new champion will be crowned in the fight between Silva and Wang Tsung at UFC 332.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Valentina Shevchenko is a former UFC flyweight champion with 11 championship victories, a record in the organization's women's division. Her last fight was in November 2025 against Zhang Weili.
Valentina Shevchenko (38 years old) gave up the UFC flyweight championship belt due to injury. This was officially announced during the broadcast of the UFC Fight Night 286 tournament, held in Paris, AllBoxing.ru reports.
Shevchenko was injured in preparation for her title defense against Natalia Silva. Recovery will take about a year. Considering the fighter’s age, the very fact of her return to the Octagon is in question.
Initially, the champion was supposed to defend the belt at the UFC 332 tournament in Salt Lake City, which will take place on the night of October 3-4. However, due to injury, this fight will not take place.
The new flyweight champion will be determined in a fight between Brazilian Natalia Silva and Chinese Wang Cong at the same UFC 332 tournament.
Shevchenko fought her last fight in November 2025, defeating former strawweight champion Zhang Weili. In total, she won championship fights 11 times and is a co-owner of the record for this indicator in the UFC women's divisions.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Valentina Shevchenko will not return to the Octagon in the next year due to the need for a long recovery from injury
Likely · Within months
The fight between Natalia Silva and Wang Tsung at UFC 332 will determine the new UFC flyweight champion
Very likely · Within days
Open Questions
- Will Shevchenko be able to return to the Octagon after a year of recovery?
- Who will be the new UFC flyweight champion after Silva vs. Wang Tsung?
- How will the injury affect Shevchenko's long-term MMA career?
