Natalia Silva beat three former champions on her ascent within the UFC.
Now Silva is the champion.
Silva received the vacant girls’s flyweight title by unanimous choice over Wang Cong in the principle occasion at UFC 332 in Salt Lake Metropolis on Saturday, Oct. 3.
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The judges scored it 48-47, 48-47, 49-46.
Silva got here out quick, utilizing her pace to land kicks and punches. She continued to thrive, flattening Cong with kicks within the second and third rounds.
The momentum started to shift, and within the fifth spherical Cong began touchdown arduous pictures. Then she swung for the fences and Silva moved quick sufficient to guard her victory.
Valentina Shevchenko vacated the flyweight title after struggling a again and shoulder damage that’s anticipated to sideline her for no less than a 12 months.
Earlier than the damage, Silva possible earned a title shot after consecutive victories over three UFC former champions – Jessica Andrade, Alexa Grasso and Rose Namajunas.
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However as a substitute of dealing with Shevchenko, Silva obtained matched up towards Cong. An achieved kickboxer, Cong defeated Shevchenko by unanimous choice in a kickboxing bout in 2015.
Silva, a 29-year-old from Brazil, received her 15th combat in a row and improved to 21-5-1 (9-0 UFC).
Cong, a 34-year-old from China, fell to 10-2 (5-2 UFC).
UFC 332 delivers: The script flipped
Fireworks throughout the principle occasion – Natalia Silva vs. Wang Cong for the vacant girls’s flyweight title — could be a bonus.
This script for UFC 332 has flipped.
The cardboard, derided as probably one of many worst in latest reminiscence, has delivered past expectations in Salt Lake Metropolis Saturday, Oct. 3.
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That included seven consecutive first-round knockouts, and 9 in 10 fights. There have been 10 knockouts in all.
Not too way back, the UFC had an issue with extreme grappling. Then Dana White, UFC’s CEO, launched bonuses for finishes.
It is turned out to be a bonus for viewers, with UFC 332 the most recent proof that that TKOs and KOs are on the rise.
Probably the most spectacular knockout was delivered by Damian Pinas, who drilled Andrey Pulyaev and decked him at 1:15 within the first spherical.
However a half dozen different fighters are contending for runner-up honors.
UFC 332 outcomes: UFC 332 stay updates: Natalia Silva vs. Wang Cong outcomes, round-by-round protection
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It wasn’t simply the knockouts that produced pleasure.
Former NFL participant Anthony Wint and Johnny Walker stamped themselves as heavyweight contenders with first-round knockouts.
Roman Kopylov slayed Adonis (a.okay.a. Ateba Gauthier). Outfitted with a nasty straight left, Kopylov turned the primary fighter to complete Gauthier, who entered the combat 11-1 with 10 knockouts.
Whereas the finishes in Salt Lake Metropolis had been devastating, the celebrations had been memorable too.
No backflips off the highest of the octagon a la Justin Gaethje. However Jacobe Smith did a cartwheel and a backflip after his first-round knockout of Bruce Whitehead. Johnny Walker did the worm after his first-round knockout of Mick Parkin. And Imanol Rodriguez twirled after his first-round knockout of Alden Coria.
