Valentina Shevchenko Withdrew From UFC 332 Due to Injury

The flyweight champion will miss her title defense in Salt Lake City after suffering a partial shoulder ligament tear.

Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in Mixed Martial Arts

Expressive editorial sports illustration of a martial arts fighter in mid-motion, capturing the intensity of competition in an arena setting. — UFC flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko has withdrawn from her scheduled title defense at UFC 332 following a partial shoulder ligament tear. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Valentina Shevchenko has withdrawn from her scheduled bout at UFC 332 due to a partial tear of her shoulder ligaments. Her coach, Pavel Fedotov, made the decision after training camp aggravations forced a medical examination.

Why it matters

The withdrawal forces a shift in the event card for UFC 332, as the organization pivots to a new championship matchup. The injury impacts the immediate competitive trajectory of the flyweight division.

Valentina Shevchenko is 38 years old and has held the championship belt for 10 years. The flyweight division operates within a weight class of 57kg.

The players

Valentina Shevchenko

She is a veteran mixed martial artist from Kyrgyzstan who has maintained a championship reign for a decade.

Natalia Silva

A fighter from Brazil who will now compete for the championship belt at the upcoming UFC 332 event.

Wang Cong

She is an athlete from China who has been tapped to face Natalia Silva for the title.

Pavel Fedotov

He serves as the coach for Valentina Shevchenko and directed the team to withdraw her from the fight.

The details

Doctors in Las Vegas confirmed the diagnosis of a partial ligament tear in two places but determined that surgery is currently unnecessary. Despite the setback, Shevchenko intends to return to the octagon to pursue the championship belt in the future.

Valentina Shevchenko made her professional mixed martial arts debut in 2003.
Shevchenko began her career competing in the UFC in 2015.
Shevchenko successfully defended her title against Zhang Weili in November 2025.
UFC 332 is scheduled to take place on October 3, 2026, in Salt Lake City.

Season Trajectory

The withdrawal forces a reorganization of the flyweight division title picture for UFC 332. This change breaks the established sequence of Shevchenko's recent title defenses and opens a new opportunity for Natalia Silva and Wang Cong.

The fight between Natalia Silva and Wang Cong will now serve as the primary title event for UFC 332. Fantasy rosters and betting markets will need to adjust to the removal of Shevchenko from the October 3 card.

The takeaway

Maintaining long-term health is critical for veteran athletes managing the physical toll of a decade of championship competition. Fans should keep a close watch on future fight announcements to see how the flyweight division stabilizes after this injury.