EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsFor all of the growth and progress of women's MMA over the past 15 years, the 2026 schedule has raised an uncomfortable -- but glaring -- question: What is happening to women's fights? Saturday's UFC 332 event in Salt Lake City will mark the first UFC event this year headlined by women, when Natalia Silva (20-5-1) and Wang Cong (10-1) meet for the vacant flyweight title. This year's lack of high-profile women's fights (and the excitement that should accompany them) has been impossible to miss. Wang, the 34-year-old Chinese challenger, has certainly felt it in the buildup to Saturday."Everyone was talking about how bad this main event is," Wang told ESPN, through an interpreter. "Of course I know about it. I think me and my opponent will prove them wrong, and show this is a fight they need to watch."The sport could definitely use a boost. According to ESPN Research, the UFC has promoted 415 total bouts this year; 56 have featured women. That 13% split is the lowest mark in a decade.The last women's fight to headline any UFC event was a non-title bout between Mackenzie Dern and Amanda Ribas in January 2025. For the last women's fight to headline a numbered event, one has to go all the way back to a bantamweight title fight between Amanda Nunes and Irene Aldana in June 2023.Those trends are unlikely to change if some of the more underlying metrics continue to hold. Women's fights are increasingly being pushed to the prelims portion of events. In 2026, 83% of women's fights have appeared on prelims, compared with 72% in 2024, 61% in 2021 and 54% in 2017.For their part, both Wang and Silva, a 29-year-old challenger out of Brazil, are predicting a memorable matchup Saturday. Wang is a former professional kickboxer with an aggressive style. Silva is known as more of a matador, but in 2024 when she went against Jessica Andrade, the most aggressive opponent of her UFC career, they won fight of the night."For sure, it's going to be a well-fought battle," Silva told ESPN through an interpreter. "She comes in aggressive, which gives me the opportunity to be aggressive as well. What I can tell people is that's going to be an incredible fight."One thing is undeniable, Wang and Silva have a rare opportunity on Saturday to headline a numbered event with a women's title fight.More storylines to watchGautier is getting the step up in competition he asked forAteba Gautier is an athletic, 24-year-old wrecking ball from Cameroon with a 5-0 record in the UFC that includes four knockouts. The combined record of his opponents, however, has been 4-14. That doesn't diminish what Gautier has done, but it's still unknown how he will fare against tougher competition.For his part, Gautier isn't shying away from challenging himself. Immediately following his last win in May, Gautier called for a fight with former middleweight champion Israel Adesanya -- arguably the greatest 185-pound fighter of all time. The UFC didn't give him Adesanya, but he did get Roman Kopylov, a 35-year-old Russian with 12 UFC bouts. A win wouldn't validate Gautier as a title contender, but it would prove he's ready for greater tests.Wint could be the sleeper breakout candidate of the cardIn terms of fighters who can make an individual splash at UFC 332, Wang and Silva in the main event stand out. Payton Talbott taking on a former champion in Deiveson Figueiredo is an obvious one. Undefeated Jacobe Smith is a finishing machine, and the aforementioned Gautier is in the biggest fight of his career.Quietly, Anthony Wint could steal the show. Wint's prelim fight against Lucas Armand will be his third in less than two months. He's a former collegiate and NFL linebacker, fighting out of a notoriously talented and striking-oriented gym in Kill Cliff FC. He already is very much on UFC CEO Dana White's radar, having earned his contract on "Contender Series" on Aug. 11. If he does something spectacular, expect White to give it attention in his postfight comments (which in turn, draws everyone's attention).Coaches' questions for women's flyweight championship'What is Natalia Silva's game plan under pressure?'Cong's striking is on point. She is aggressive with it, but she makes mistakes with it as well. I feel like Silva is the more well-rounded fighter, and it's up to her to take advantage of that. If this fight does go to the ground, I think Silva will present bigger problems -- and I see that as a path to victory for her. Wang is going to look for the knockout, and because of that, she will overextend in certain positions. I have a gut feeling Silva is going to work some ground work into this one. Silva is so good at controlling the pace of a fight, but with Cong coming at her so aggressively, I think she'll be forced to try different stuff. It's a pick 'em fight. -- John Wood, Syndicate MMAWho will own the 'second exchange'?Silva's path to victory is about space, timing and making Wang reset. Silva needs to use her movement and feints to keep Wang from getting comfortable and building combinations. Silva is best at range, not standing in the pocket. Her counters matter in this matchup. She doesn't just survive Wang's pressure, she scores with midrange kicks and southpaw counters after Wang overcommits. For Wang, it's about pressure without chasing. She needs to cut the cage. Containing Silva becomes the real job. This is where her low kick and body work become weapons. Silva's movement is a huge part of her defense. If Wang can consistently attack the legs and body, she can start shrinking the cage without simply chasing. Who controls what happens after the initial exchange? If Wang attacks, Silva counters and exits, that's Silva's fight. If Wang attacks, Silva tries to exit and Wang cuts her off, those are the moments Wang wants. Whoever imposes their will on that second exchange wins. -- Eric Nicksick, Xtreme Couture
