‘Natalia Silva is No. 1 for a cause, however I’m one of the best striker within the global community’: Wang Cong prepared for UFC flyweight title second

Wang Cong has spent a lot of her struggle profession shifting in direction of this second. The opponent modified, the timing was quick and the rankings might have raised questions, however the goal remained the identical. On Saturday, the Chinese fighter will get her likelihood to change into the UFC ladies’s flyweight champion when she takes on No. 1 contender Natalia Silva for the vacant 125-pound title at UFC 332.“Getting the UFC title is cause why I transitioned to MMA. My thoughts is all the time there,” Wang advised TimesofIndia.com forward of her important occasion towards Silva.The vacant ladies’s flyweight title grew to become obtainable after Valentina Shevchenko was pressured to relinquish the belt due to harm. Silva, the No. 1 contender, had been anticipated to face Shevchenko and comes into Salt Lake City with an 8-0 UFC report and a 14-fight profitable streak. Her final three victories have come towards former champions Jessica Andrade, Alexa Grasso and Rose Namajunas.On the opposite hand, the 34-year-old Wang’s path to flyweight title conflict has been significantly shorter. She is ranked No. 8 and has six UFC fights behind her, driving on a four-match winnng streak. She most lately beat Tracy Cortez by unanimous determination in July. The rating distinction, nevertheless, doesn’t seem to concern her.

Silva brings the resume, Wang brings the boldness

“No, by no means. I imagine I’m one of the best fighter within the global community. I don’t care about rankings,” Wang stated, earlier than acknowledging Silva’s credentials.“Yes, she positively would be the hardest opponent I’ve ever confronted. She’s #1 for a cause. But I’m one of the best striker within the global community, I imagine. So, let’s see on Saturday evening.”Silva has constructed her run round pace, motion, kicks and distance management, whereas Wang has developed her popularity by means of accuracy, stress and energy. Wang expects the struggle to remain on the toes.“It’s a brief discover. I didn’t change an excessive amount of of my coaching methodology. But, I imagine this struggle will almost certainly be a get up struggle.”

A five-round take a look at and a brand new problem

She has additionally ready for the primary five-round struggle of her UFC profession and believes her conditioning is adequate for 5 rounds.“I feel my cardio is all the time sufficient for five rounds. I positively did quite a bit conditioning coaching for this camp. But it’s extra of a psychological factor, I imagine.”The psychological adjustment has been a part of Wang’s improvement because the solely lack of her skilled MMA profession. She was submitted by Gabriella Fernandes in November 2024, earlier than responding with 4 straight determination victories over Bruna Brasil, Ariane da Silva, Eduarda Moura and Cortez.

Wang Cong’s likelihood so as to add one other chapter to China’s UFC rise

The development has introduced her to a championship struggle ahead of many anticipated. A victory would additionally give Wang a spot within the historical past of Chinese MMA. Zhang Weili grew to become China’s first UFC champion in 2019, whereas Yan Xiaonan has additionally challenged for the belt. Wang now has the chance to change into the nation’s second UFC champion.“It’s significant for myself. From Sanda to kickboxing, to boxing, then to MMA. I all the time wish to accomplish one thing in each fight sport I compete. And I’m only one step away from my final objective,” she stated.Wang additionally sees the second as a part of a broader rise in Chinese MMA. “It exhibits China is creating quick in MMA. For ladies, now we have Zhang Weili and Yan Xiaonan. For males, now Song Yadong is the quantity 3 bantamweight within the global community. There will certainly be extra to return sooner or later.”Song, who trains alongside Wang at Team Alpha Male, has additionally been a part of her preparation. He has been giving her recommendation on each the strategic and psychological sides of combating for a significant UFC alternative and there was little signal of Wang being overwhelmed by the event. Saturday shall be her first UFC important occasion, however she doesn’t regard the setting as essentially completely different.“No, I’ve been competing my entire life. I don’t see this struggle as a lot completely different.”At Wednesday’s media day, Wang tried to encourage Silva to convey extra power to the promotion of the struggle, saying she felt each fighters had a accountability to make the primary occasion an even bigger spectacle. Silva has largely stored her consideration on the struggle itself. She has described profitable the UFC title because the objective no matter who stands reverse her.For Wang, the implications of victory are easy. “If I win, it is going to be the brand new period of the UFC ladies’s flyweight division. I shall be on this spot so long as I can.”Tune-In: Watch UFC 332 – Silva vs. Wang, on Sunday, 4th October 2026, from IST 5.30 AM dwell on Sony Sports Ten 1 SD & HD, Sony Sports Ten 2 SD & HD, Sony Sports Ten 3 SD & HD (Hindi), Sony Sports Ten 4 SD (Tamil, Telugu, Kannada) and Sony LIV.