Valentina Shevchenko Vacates UFC Title Despite 9 Defenses, Fans Question UFC’s Double Standards

Delta Center in Salt Lake City was supposed to be the stage for Valentina Shevchenko’s 10th defense of her UFC Women’s Flyweight title. Instead, the “Bullet” has vacated her throne after suffering an undisclosed injury that has forced her to the sidelines.

Shevchenko’s unexpected absence left the UFC scrambling for a new main event, with her scheduled challenger, Natalia Silva, now set to face China’s Wang Cong. The fanbase isn’t exactly sold on the replacement matchup, turning their attention to a bigger issue: why has Shevchenko vacated her belt while other UFC champions have remained in possession of theirs despite similarly lengthy absences?

“Makes No Sense” -  Fight Nation Fumes Over Updated UFC 332 Title Fight

There was immediate confusion among fans when the UFC announced that Silva and Cong would now fight for the vacant flyweight championship at UFC 332.

However, on paper, it is a legitimate title fight. Ranked No. 4 in the division, Silva enters the bout with an unbeaten UFC record, while her opponent has won four straight fights. But the circumstances surrounding the matchup have left plenty of fans scratching their heads.

Although the biggest grievance isn't necessarily with the rescheduled main event. It is with the UFC's apparent decision to have Shevchenko vacate the title in the first place.

Reflecting on the same, one fan argued, “That's because it's not fair & the UFC has been negligent in its matchmaking for #UFC332.” 

That sentiment was echoed throughout the reaction to the announcement, with fans pointing toward the UFC's handling of other inactive champions. “Double standards for dana’s favorites this company & sport is pathetic,” wrote a third user.

Then there were those who believed the UFC should simply have a hard rule for every champion. “Definitely makes no sense! All of them should be stripped of their belts, plus it should be mandatory that you defend your belt once a year or you are stripped of the title, even if you are injured.”

Status Quo Could Remain in UFC in Wake of Shevchenko Vacating Belt

Not everyone expects anything to change. “It's ridiculous and there is nothing we can do about it. I watched RAF today and thought it was better. I don't know what to say anymore,” another frustrated fan posted.

Perhaps the most cynical explanation came from a fan who believes the UFC simply needed something to headline its Salt Lake City event, stating, “Cause the UFC couldn’t think of anything else to 'save' the contractually obligated PPV card the Salt Lake City have bought lmao.”

Nevertheless, the reactions all point toward the same underlying frustration: why does the UFC's inactivity rule appear to apply differently to different champions?

Shevchenko had already defended her belt three times during her second reign and was preparing for her tenth successful title defense before injury intervened. Yet she is now without a championship while other fighters have held onto theirs despite longer stretches away from competition.

Shevchenko Could Get Her Shot at Redemption

The Kyrgyz fighter’s last fight came in November. Case in point: she had not been inactive for anything close to a year when the UFC announced her title vacation. Her undisclosed injury, however, is expected to keep her out for up to one year, forcing the promotion to make a decision about the 125-pound championship.

Compare that with the current inactivity of some other UFC champions. Tom Aspinall, for instance, has gone 315 days without competing, while Kayla Harrison has been inactive for 455 days. Both have retained their championships.

Shevchenko Put Belt at Risk More Often

Shevchenko (26-4-1), meanwhile, had defended her belt more recently than both before her injury. The issue is whether the promotion should have handled Shevchenko's situation differently, perhaps by allowing an interim championship to be contested rather than removing her from the undisputed title picture altogether.

For the 38-year-old, however, there is at least a potential way back. According to Heavy.com, the promotion has indicated that she will receive a title opportunity when she returns and is healthy enough to compete.

In September of 2024, Shevchenko reclaimed the title by defeating Alexa Grasso, then defended it against Manon Fiorot and Zhang Weili. Now, though, she will have to watch the division move on without her.