UFC 332 Preview: Natalia Silva vs Wang Cong, Figueiredo vs Talbott and Ones to Watch

The UFC returns to Salt Lake City as UFC 332 goes down at the Delta Center. The vacant women's flyweight title, relinquished by MMA icon Valentina Shevchenko, is up for grabs as Natalia Silva faces Wang Cong in the main event, while a host of rising stars feature throughout the card.

In the main event, Brazilian Natalia Silva boasts a huge 14-fight win streak, including eight UFC victories, which has seen her rise to become the number one contender in the 125lbs division.

Her résumé has improved significantly in recent bouts as she has built towards UFC gold. Her last three opponents were all former UFC champions, and she dispatched each via unanimous decision using her attractive striking game.

Many expected her to face dominant champion Valentina Shevchenko. However, injury has sidelined the everlasting queen of 125lbs, leaving her title vacant.

Stepping up to fight the rightful contender is elite Chinese striker Wang Cong. At 10-1, Wang is still green in her MMA career, but her combat history runs deep.

The 34-year-old competed in Sanda and Wushu in her early fighting years. She then progressed into kickboxing and boxing prior to her eventual shift into MMA in 2022.

At just 4-0, Wang got her chance at a UFC contract when she competed on Road to UFC in May 2024. The loss in her second UFC bout was an early awakening to the big leagues. However, she is now unbeaten in four fights.

In the co-main event, ranked bantamweights collide at different stages of their careers.

The older statesman, Deiveson Figueiredo, has reached the very pinnacle of the sport, becoming UFC champion at 125lbs with a surging run that saw him brutalise flyweight challengers from 2017 to 2020.

Now at bantamweight, Figueiredo has had mixed results, going 4-4 since moving up in 2023.

Across the Octagon this weekend stands a potential star in Payton Talbott. The American rose to top prospect status with a pair of bonus-winning knockouts in 2024, but a career-first defeat halted the hype.

Talbott bounced back from that loss with two great wins in 2025, and this weekend offers an opportunity to break into the top 10 at 135lbs.

Making his long-awaited UFC debut is Croatian welterweight Roberto Soldic, earning himself a spot on the main card against heavy hitter Khaos Williams.

Soldic had an illustrious tenure in KSW, becoming a two-division champion at welterweight and middleweight between 2017 and 2021.

Welcoming him to the UFC Octagon is Williams, who rediscovered his ferocious power earlier this year with a first-round KO.

Monstrous middleweight prospects feature in different bouts lower down the card.

Fan favourite Ateba Gautier opens the main card against fierce Russian Roman Kopylov in his toughest test to date.

At 24 years old, the Cameroonian is a physical specimen, with fans nicknaming him "Mini Ngannou" due to his physique and the stunning power he possesses.

After five straight victories with four knockouts, fans called for a step up in competition, and Kopylov is certainly that.

If Gautier is victorious this weekend, he throws himself onto the cusp of the rankings at 185lbs.

On the prelims, Damian Pinas also quenches fans' thirst for violence. At 10-1, all 10 of his victories have come inside the distance.

There are plenty of similarities between the two 24-year-olds, as both came through Dana White's Contender Series and have similar records and finish rates.

Pinas is 2-0 in the UFC with two first-round knockouts so far, as 2026 looks set to be a stellar debut year in the organisation.

The event has been heavily criticised by MMA fans and media, particularly as this is the first full main card being shown for free on CBS.

Although there may be a lack of current star-quality names, there is certainly a wealth of fighters who could have big careers ahead of them inside the UFC. Multiple unbeaten prospects will be on display alongside the previously mentioned fighters.