Natalia Silva Fires Back at Valentina Shevchenko: ‘The Belt Is Mine’

Natalia Silva is not treating the UFC women’s flyweight championship as borrowed property.

Days after winning the vacant 125-pound title with a unanimous decision over Wang Cong at UFC 332, Silva responded sharply to former champion Valentina Shevchenko’s promise to return for “my belt.” The Brazilian welcomed the congratulations but rejected the idea that she is merely holding the championship until Shevchenko is healthy enough to compete again.

Silva Draws a Line Under Shevchenko’s Reign

Shevchenko congratulated Silva after Saturday’s main event, then warned the new champion not to get comfortable and to keep the belt warm. In an interview with MMA Fighting, Silva made her position clear.

“The belt isn’t hers anymore, the belt is mine. I’m the champion. I fought for this, I earned it, so I’m the champion now.”

Silva also took aim at Shevchenko’s recent activity, noting the long gaps between the former champion’s appearances. Shevchenko last defended the title in November 2025, defeating Zhang Weili by decision, before an injury ultimately led her to vacate the championship.

That vacancy opened the door for Silva and Wang to headline UFC 332 in Salt Lake City. Silva prevailed by scores of 48-47, 48-47 and 49-46, extending her unbeaten UFC run to nine fights and becoming the fifth champion in the history of the women’s flyweight division.

An Active Champion With No Plans to Wait

Silva’s response was not simply personal. It also outlined how she intends to handle the division now that she sits at the top.

The 29-year-old said she wants to return during the first half of 2027 rather than wait indefinitely for one opponent. Shevchenko remains an obvious future challenger because of her championship résumé, but Silva believes any return fight should be judged against the rankings and the momentum of other contenders.

“If she wants to fight when she comes back, and there isn’t another fight that needs to happen, we can fight, but we also have to look at the rankings and the queue because there are some girls who are doing really well and deserve to be fighting.”

Silva specifically mentioned Alexa Grasso and Erin Blanchfield as possible challengers. UFC CEO Dana White has also said he expects the new champion to remain active while Shevchenko recovers, strengthening the case for the division to move forward rather than pause for the former titleholder.

A New Power Structure at 125 Pounds

Silva’s confidence is backed by one of the strongest résumés in the division. Before defeating Wang, she collected wins over former champions Jéssica Andrade, Alexa Grasso and Rose Namajunas. Her victory at UFC 332 completed the climb from contender to champion, and her comments make clear that she views the title change as the beginning of a new era—not an interim arrangement.

A fight with Shevchenko would still be among the biggest matchups available at 125 pounds. The former champion’s long reign and technical excellence guarantee immediate interest whenever she returns. But Silva has shifted the terms of the conversation: Shevchenko would be challenging for Silva’s championship, not reclaiming a belt that still belongs to her.

That distinction matters in a division with several contenders trying to build their own cases. If Silva competes early next year, the UFC will have to balance Shevchenko’s legacy against recent results, recovery timing and the value of keeping the title active.

Silva Hopes for a Championship Homecoming

While the next opponent remains undecided, Silva already has an ideal location in mind. She said she would love to defend the title in Brazil, where she has never competed during her UFC career.

A home-country title defense would give the promotion a natural showcase for its new champion and could pair Silva’s growing profile with one of MMA’s most passionate fan bases. Whether the opponent is Shevchenko, Grasso, Blanchfield or another contender, Silva’s message is unchanged: the division now runs through her, and everyone else must earn a place in line.