UFC 332: Natalia Silva vs Wang Cong, main card predictions
UFC 332 fight week is here. While the fight card isn’t loaded with top-tier talent from top to bottom, it still has some exciting matchups on paper that should make for a fun night of fights.
The main event was unknown until roughly four weeks ago, when two major announcements were made.
The first being that the now-former women’s flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko vacated her title. The UFC announced that Shevchenko suffered an injury that will likely take a year to recover from.
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The second stems from that injury: as the flyweight title became vacant, the UFC set up the next championship fight. Natalia Silva and Wang Cong will look to become first-time UFC champions on Saturday.
Before a champion is crowned, here are predictions for Silva vs. Cong and the main card of UFC 332.
Main event: Natalia Silva vs. Wang Cong (flyweight championship)
A striker-vs.-striker matchup where each fighter thrives in different areas. Silva has a taekwondo background, and Cong is known for her boxing base and heavier hands.
Silva thrives with lateral movement, footwork, and angles, while Cong is high-pressure and throws volume.
Speed and versatility will be the differences in this fight. Silva has great hand speed like Cong, but she mixes in kicks beautifully and brings more unpredictability to her game. Both fighters will have moments, but Silva will prevail.
Final prediction – Natalia Silva via unanimous decision
Co-main event: Payton Talbott vs Deiveson Figueiredo (bantamweight)
Talbott faces a former flyweight champion for the second straight fight. Coming off a win against Henry Cejudo, Talbott looks to beat another legend in Figueiredo and climb higher in the 135-pound rankings.
Figueiredo has to win this fight to stay relevant at bantamweight. He’s lost four of his last five fights. At 38 years old, theres no telling how many more times he’ll step into the octagon.
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This is a building-block fight for Talbott; his speed and precision in striking will give Figgy immense problems. The grappling advantage should go to Figueiredo, but that’s if he can get Talbott down, which will be a tall task.
Final prediction – Payton Talbott via second-round TKO
King Green vs Esteban Ribovics (lightweight)
King Green said it himself on UFC Embedded this week: either he’s going to sleep, or Esteban Ribovics is. This fight will be fireworks from the jump. Both fighters will take the center and look for fight-ending blows.
Green has found a groove lately, winning his last four fights in a row. Ribovics is known for his aggression and defensive lapses; Green will use that to his advantage and counter.
Even at 40, Green still has great head movement and can evade strikes.
Final prediction – King Green via 3rd-round TKO
Roberto Soldic vs Khaos Williams (welterweight)
Soldic has been one of the best-kept secrets outside the UFC; now he makes his debut against seasoned veteran Khaos Williams. Soldic was a two-weight champion at KSW, then had a weird stint at ONE Championship, where his record was 1-1-1.
Williams will bring the fight to Soldic, and major questions remain about whether Soldic’s chin can hold up, since his last loss was by knockout.
Soldic’s reckless abandon will be a disadvantage; Williams is too sharp not to find a counterstrike in the fire. Either way, this fight doesn’t see the final bell, but I’m betting on UFC experience.
Final prediction – Khaos Williams via first-round TKO
Ateba Gautier vs Roman Kopylov (middleweight)
This is by far the toughest test for Gautier. Kopylov has been ranked at 185 pounds before and has experience fighting the best of the best. That said, Gautier might just be a star in the making.
Known as the “middleweight Francis Ngannou,” Gautier has devastating power in his hands and a patient counter-striking approach. Kopylov will bring volume and dynamic striking, especially with the kicks.
Gautier’s physicality and six-inch reach advantage will trouble Kopylov. The overhand strikes will land as Kopylov throws kicks. Kopylov is known to have a great chin, but he’s never fought Gautier.
Final prediction – Ateba Gautier via second round TKO
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