Valentina Shevchenko Responds to Wang Cong’s UFC Title Callout After Flyweight Win

Valentina Shevchenko still rules the UFC flyweight division after Zhang Weili fell to her unanimous decision on 15 November 2025, yet the latest challenge is already rising from the ranks.

What happened at UFC 329?

Wang Cong knocked out Tracy Cortez with a unanimous decision on 11 July in Las Vegas, all three judges scoring it 29-27. She absorbed a one-point deduction in round two for an illegal knee to a grounded opponent, then held on to close the fight. The win lifted Wang to 10-1 as a pro and locked in her fifth UFC victory in six outings, catapulting her into the official top ten at 125 pounds.

Why Wang Cong is now gunning for Valentina Shevchenko

Hours after the cage cleared, Wang posted an Instagram video tagging Shevchenko. “The game is over,” she said. “Now I’m officially calling Valentina Shevchenko.” Wang reminded the champion of their 31 October 2015 Kunlun Fight clash in Beijing, a unanimous-decision triumph before Shevchenko ever stepped into the UFC. “Ten years ago, I beat you in that kickboxing match,” Wang added. “Let’s set the record straight about that fight held in China: the referee was Korean, not Chinese.” She accused Shevchenko of spreading “fabricated lies” and dragging the event through the mud, then pivoted to their shared history in Macau, where Shevchenko has avoided facing her. “I switched over to MMA just to compete against you,” Wang said. “Hope you hold onto your title and don’t lose it ahead of our next matchup.”

Where Shevchenko stands after the latest title defense

Shevchenko defended her belt in emphatic style, finishing Zhang Weili with a 50-45 shutout on the scorecards. The victory tied Amanda Nunes for the most UFC title-fight wins at 11 apiece. No fight has been booked yet, but the rankings already place Wang behind Natália Silva, Manon Fiorot, Alexa Grasso and Erin Blanchfield at 125 pounds.

What comes next for the flyweight division

Wang’s callout lands while the champion’s schedule stays blank. The UFC will decide whether a decade-old kickboxing result and a social-media blitz are enough to vault Wang straight to the top of the division. For now, the Kyrgyzstani star remains on her throne-and the challengers are sharpening their claws.