Natalia Silva vs. Wang Cong: Bloody Elbow staff predict the UFC 332 main event

A new UFC champion will be crowned in Salt Lake City, Utah, on Saturday night.

Valentina Shevchenko recently vacated her flyweight belt after suffering an injury that will require a long recovery period.

Top contenders Natalia Silva and Wang Cong were announced as the fighters who will scrap for the vacant 125lb belt in the UFC 332 main event.

Who’ll take home the title? Let’s find out who the Bloody Elbow staff writers are backing.

Jordan Ellis: “Everything points to this fight going the distance, but I don’t think it will. Natalia Silva is a level above Wang Cong, and I believe she’ll make that apparent by forcing a finish at UFC 332.

PREDICTION: NATALIA SILVA BY SUBMISSION

Donagh Corby: “I think the real winner of this main event will be the people who don’t bother watching it. It’s not a serious title fight, the winner will not be seen by anybody as the legitimate champion because they won’t have beaten Valentina Shevchenko. I think Silva is too technically good for Wang Cong right now, and even though ‘The Joker’ winning would be better for the sport, I’m going with a UD for Silva.”

PREDICTION: NATALIA SILVA BY DECISION

Jamie Theodosi: “Natalia Silva has been a champion in waiting for several years, in my opinion. Outside of Valentina Shevchenko, she is by far the best striker in the division, and I think she will show that against Cong, who, in fairness, is also an accomplished striker.”

PREDICTION: NATALIA SILVA BY DECISION

Kyle Dimond: “A striking matchup should always fare well for Wang Cong, but I’ve not seen her beat high-level opposition in MMA yet. Natalia Silva has proven very effective at spoiling other people’s games, so I think she’ll edge out a decision.”

PREDICTION: NATALIA SILVA BY DECISION

Harvey Leonard: “Natalia Silva has been the most intriguing name rising through the ranks at flyweight for years, to the point where she’s seemed like a genuine threat to Valentina Shevchenko. Having gotten past Jessica Andrade, Alexa Grasso, and Rosa Namajunas, I haven’t seen anything to suggest Wang Cong will be too tall of a hurdle for the Brazilian to vault en route to the vacant title.”

PREDICTION: NATALIA SILVA BY DECISION