Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) women’s Flyweight contenders Natalia Silva vs. Wang Cong will clash TONIGHT (Sat., Oct. 3, 2026) inside Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, for UFC 332.
It’s hard to believe Silva started her professional career with a woeful 1-3 run. It makes a little more sense when you realize she was 18 years old and those defeats came 11 years ago! In fact, Silva turned a corner back in 2018, winning 14-straight fights to join UFC’s roster, climb the ranks, and earn her first crack at gold. At just 29 years of age, she has a wealth of experience and is clearly in her prime.
With experience in Sanda competition dating back to 2013, Cong has been around the block a time or two as well. Of course, she famously defeated Valentina Shevchenko in kickboxing in 2015 as well (more on that here), priming her for an eventual run in mixed martial arts (MMA). Since crossing into the cage in 2022, Cong has quickly proven herself a world-class fighter, building up a UFC record of 5-1.
Let’s take a closer look at the betting odds and strategic keys for each athlete:
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JULY 11: (R-L) Wang Cong of China strikes Tracy Cortez during the UFC 329 event at T-Mobile Arena on July 11, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
Silva vs. Cong Betting Odds
- Natalia Silva victory: -215
- Natalia Silva via TKO/KO/DQ: +700
- Natalia Silva via submission: +1000
- Natalia Silva via decision: -105
- Wang Cong victory: +164
- Wang Cong via TKO/KO/DQ: +850
- Wang Cong via submission: +2500
- Wang Cong via decision: +270
- Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JANUARY 24: Natalia Silva of Brazil strikes Rose Namajunas in a flyweight bout during the UFC 324 event at T-Mobile Arena on January 24, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)
Silva has a Taekwondo background that definitely carries through to the cage. Kicks are her bread and butter, the bulk of her volume on the feet. Her boxing is enthusiastic, supported more by athleticism and fearlessness than fluid form. Still, she’s a high-volume kickboxer who consistently bullies and breaks down her opponents.
As a result, she only gets stronger as fights wear on.
In this matchup of kickboxers, the jab becomes more important. I understand that Silva uses her side kick as her long range weapon of choice, but if she’s going to trade with Cong in the pocket, she better find her boxing distance too. Silva should be doubling up the strike and taking it to the body, which will help her establish a rhythm.
Between the two, Silva is the more experienced MMA fighter and should be looking to mix in takedowns. If she can convince Cong that she’s in a striking battle, then she could catch the Chinese fighter off-guard with a sudden level change or caught kick.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JULY 11: Wang Cong of China lands a punch on Tracy Cortez of the United States in their women flyweight bout at T-Mobile Arena on July 11, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ian Maule/Getty Images) Getty Images
Given Cong’s wealth of Sanda and kickboxing experience, it should come as no surprise that she’s winning fights on the feet. Cong maintains a high-output offense herself, but she’s probably the bigger hitter between the two women and definitely puts her punches together in less flappy fashion.
This is not a bad stylistic matchup for Cong, who might struggle more with an elite grappling specialist like Erin Blanchfield. Against a fellow striker, she should feel very comfortable despite the step up in competition.
Against Silva, the primary goal should be to take away the kicks of the Taekwondo ace. Fortunately, both kickboxing and Sanda should have her very prepared for that goal! I’d love to see Cong use the classic Sanda tactic of catching kicks and converting them into takedowns to punish Silva’s constant kicking. In addition, Cong should look to pass by the side kick and then chop at the thigh, which will limit the bounce in Silva’s step over time.
Between the two, Cong wants to fight more in the pocket, whereas Silva wants a rangy kicking distance. Cong should be looking to pressure and cut off the cage, as that will force Silva to exchange at Cong’s range. Cong should also be looking to hit the mid-section often, as Silva can be difficult to track down, so slowing her motion with bodywork will pay dividends.
NEWARK, NEW JERSEY – JUNE 07: Wang Cong of China reacts after a victory against Ariane da Silva of Brazil in a flyweight bout during the UFC 316 event at Prudential Center on June 07, 2025 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Ed Mulholland/Zuffa LLC)
Silva vs. Cong Prediction
This is clearly Cong’s best matchup in the Flyweight Top 5. The way these two punch and kick is likely to create a Sanda-style fight with lots of side kicks, and Cong is the world Sanda champion! She can match Silva’s kicking prowess and still holds a clear advantage in boxing form and general power. The concern is Silva’s speed, but Cong’s commitment to body punching and low kicks should chip away at that edge before too long.
Cong gets her Alex Pereira moment and sets up a future showdown with Valentina Shevchenko sometime next year.