Natalia Silva unfazed by UFC 332 critics, calls Wang Cong her toughest fight

Natalia Silva is headlining a numbered event which has received plenty of flack.

With UFC flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko relinquishing her belt, Silva (20-5-1 MMA, 8-0 UFC) meets Wang Cong (10-1 MMA, 5-1 UFC) for the vacant belt in Saturday's UFC 332 (Paramount+) headliner at Delta Center in Salt Lake City.

Many think the card lacks star power, with former UFC fighter-turned analyst Brendan Schaub calling the main event the worst in MMA history.

"People doubting me, people saying I wasn't going to make it to where I am, people saying I wasn't going to reach the heights that I reached, I've dealt with them my entire life," Silva told MMA Junkie through an interpreter. "'You're not going to be able to do this. You're not going to get there.' I've had to deal with it my entire life.

"It doesn't matter to me. The only thing that matters to me was to have the best preparation, the best camp, be ready for this fight – for me to actually put on a show and become a champion. All the other stuff, people can say what they say. It doesn't matter to me."

Silva's place in the title fight is undeniable after she extended her winning streak to 14 by beating former champions Alexa Grasso and Rose Namajunas. However, the far less established resume of Cong's has been questioned, but Silva won't let that cloud her judgement.

"I'm very cautious talking about strategy, the fight game and everything else," Silva said. "I think she's a tough fighter. She is a tough opponent. She is someone who brings strengths to the table. It's going to be my toughest fight, and I know what needs to be done. I need to be really focused and I'm coming with all the weapons you need for a title fight."

This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Natalia Silva unfazed by UFC 332 critics, calls Wang Cong her 'toughest fight'