Valentina Shevchenko’s Coach Sets the Record Straight on UFC Title Rumors

After days of speculation and no shortage of conspiracy theories, we finally have some clarity on Valentina Shevchenko’s injury status. The flyweight queen was supposed to defend her title against Natalia Silva at UFC 332 in Salt Lake City, but an untimely injury forced the Kyrgyz fighter to the sidelines. The UFC moved quickly to fill the void, booking Silva against China’s Wang Cong for the vacant belt. Still, the decision to vacate Shevchenko’s title left plenty of questions, including among her fellow fighters.

Now, Shevchenko’s longtime coach, Pavel Fedotov, has filled in the gap. Not only did he reveal the extent of the injury that could keep the former champion out for at least eight months, but he also offered a different perspective on the title situation, suggesting Shevchenko’s decision to relinquish the belt was made to avoid holding up the division rather than being the result of UFC pressure.

Pavel Fedotov Explains Valentina Shevchenko’s UFC Title Decision

The biggest question surrounding Shevchenko's sudden exit was not simply when she would return. It was why the UFC flyweight championship was suddenly up for grabs in the first place.

The promotion initially described Shevchenko's injury as undisclosed when it announced that Silva would fight Wang Cong for the vacant title. Given that Shevchenko had defended the championship nine times across two reigns, the decision naturally raised eyebrows.

Fedotov has now filled in the missing details. Speaking to the Russian media outlet, Ushatayka, the 38-year-old’s coach revealed that the former champion is dealing with ligament injuries in both her shoulder and back. And the recovery is expected to keep her out for a significant period.

“We were supposed to fight on October 3 against Natália Silva, but due to an injury to the ligaments in the shoulder and back, we decided not to push things and postpone the fight,” Fedotov said.

That timeline ultimately explains why Shevchenko did not simply sit out UFC 332 and retain her championship while recovering.

“Given that the recovery will take a long time, we've made the decision to temporarily vacate the belt, and once she recovers, she will fight for it again,” he added. According to the coach, the “Bullet” is expected to spend around eight months recovering from the injuries.

Postponement Major Move for Valentina Shevchenko

That, in hindsight, is a long time to keep an entire division waiting. For Shevchenko, the decision is also significant. After losing her title to Alexa Grasso, her second flyweight run began with a revenge victory over the Mexican in 2024, followed by successful defenses against Manon Fiorot and Zhang Weili.

The crown jewel, Madison Square Garden, witnessed her last appearance in November 2025, when she defeated Weili by decision. 

What Happens to Shevchenko and the Flyweight Division Now?

The immediate consequence is that Natalia Silva and Wang Cong will now fight for Shevchenko's vacant championship at UFC 332 on October 3 at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City.

It will be a strange sight for longtime followers of the division since Shevchenko (26-4-1) has been the defining figure at 125 pounds for much of the UFC era. She first exploded onto the scene in 2018 when she captured the title. She then went on to make seven consecutive defenses during her first reign. 

After losing the belt to Grasso in 2023, she eventually reclaimed it and added two more successful defenses to her resume.

Dissecting UFC 332 Main Event after Adjustments

As for the new UFC 332 headliners, Silva enters the fight with an 8-0 UFC record and has built considerable momentum, with victories over Rose Namajunas, Grasso, and Jessica Andrade among her recent wins.

Wang, meanwhile, has won four straight and most recently defeated Tracy Cortez in July. Shevchenko, however, is expected to remain firmly in the picture once she returns.

However, recent UFC history has shown that vacating a title does not guarantee a fighter will get it back. For instance, Jamahal Hill relinquished the Light Heavyweight championship after suffering an Achilles injury, while Jiri Prochazka previously vacated the same belt after a serious shoulder injury. 

 Neither man managed to reclaim the championship upon their return, while Shevchenko hopes her story will have a better ending, but then there’s the retirement speculations. At 38, Shevchenko might be in the twilight days of a remarkable career. Her recent performances have given little reason to suggest she is ready to walk away.