Rarely if ever has one fighter single-handedly defined a UFC weight class, but a strong case can be made that Valentina Shevchenko is the women's flyweight division.
Of course, the Kyrgyz striker wasn't the first fighter to hold the championship. That distinction belongs to Nicco Montano who claimed the inaugural title after triumphing in The Ultimate Fighter season 26 finale in December 2017.
Until October 2026, every single title fight contested in the division had included the Bullet, and she rarely faltered - recording a remarkable 10-1-1 record during that period.
After suffering an injury though she was forced to vacate her title, with Natalia Silva defeating Wang Cong to claim the belt.
Current UFC women's flyweight champion
Natalia Silva became just the fourth woman ever to hold the women's flyweight champion when she defeated Wang Cong in the main event of UFC 332.
The vacant title was on the line in Salt Lake City, Utah after long-reigning champion Valentina Shevchenko was forced to vacate her belt after sustaining an injury in training.
By defeating Wang the 29-year-old became just the fifth Brazilian woman to win a UFC title, joining esteemed company in Amanda Nunes, Jessica Andrade, Cris Cyborg and Mackenzie Dern.
The challenge now for Silva will be to establish herself as the true queen at 125lbs when she inevitably defends her belt against Shevchenko when the legend is ready to return to the Octagon.
Title Won | Defeated Wang Cong (Decision) - October 2026 |
Title Defences (current reign) | 0 |
Previous UFC women's flyweight champions
Nicco Montano (December 2017 - September 2018; stripped)
Valentina Shevchenko (December 2018 - March 2023; seven defences)
Alexa Grasso (March 2023 - September 2024; one defence)
Valentina Shevchenko (September 2024 - September 2026; two defences, vacated)
