Report: UFC pressured Valentina Shevchenko to drop Flyweight belt because ‘they needed a title fight’

According to a report from Ariel Helwani cited by Andrew Richardson, the UFC allegedly pressured Valentina Shevchenko into vacating her flyweight championship ahead of UFC 332. Helwani reported that while Shevchenko had a lingering injury, she did not willingly surrender the belt. The promotion reportedly pushed for the vacation because the event urgently needed a championship fight following the collapse of negotiations involving Paulo Costa.

Shevchenko was initially scheduled to fight Natalia Silva before stepping aside, allowing Silva to defeat Wang Cong for the vacant title. Helwani stated the UFC assured Shevchenko she will receive an immediate title shot upon her return, though Richardson questions whether future divisional matchups could affect that promise.