UFC 332 entered Saturday night without the kind of star-studded lineup normally associated with a numbered UFC event, but by the time the dust settled at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, the card had delivered one of the most entertaining fightnights of 2026. The event produced 11 finishes in 14 fights, including a modern UFC record nine first-round finishes, while Natalia Silva left Utah as the new women’s flyweight champion.
From a new champion being crowned to Payton Talbott announcing himself as a legitimate threat at bantamweight, here are my three biggest takeaways from UFC 332.
1. NATALIA SILVA IS THE NEW QUEEN AT 125
The Valentina Shevchenko era may not necessarily be over, but for now the UFC women’s flyweight division belongs to Natalia Silva.
Silva defeated Wang Cong by unanimous decision, with the judges scoring the fight 48-47, 48-47 and 49-46, to capture the vacant UFC women’s flyweight championship. Silva used her speed, movement and more diverse striking attack to establish an early lead, including a head kick in the second round that got Wang's attention. Wang became increasingly aggressive late in the fight and made the championship rounds competitive, but Silva had already done enough to secure the victory.
It was not the spectacular finish that characterized much of the rest of UFC 332, but championship fights are ultimately about winning. Silva remained composed against a dangerous opponent and proved she could deliver over five rounds with a title on the line.
The victory also extends Silva's remarkable run. She is now unbeaten inside the UFC and has won 14 consecutive fights overall, while tying Shevchenko's divisional mark of nine straight UFC victories.
Now comes the interesting part. Shevchenko vacated the championship because of injury rather than losing it inside the Octagon, and UFC CEO Dana White indicated afterward that Silva should remain active rather than wait for the former champion to return.
Eventually, however, that fight almost has to happen.
When Shevchenko returns, a showdown between the former queen and the woman now wearing her crown could become one of the biggest fights the women's flyweight division has seen in years.
2. PAYTON TALBOTT IS READY FOR THE BANTAMWEIGHT ELITE
At some point the UFC has to stop treating Payton Talbott like a prospect.
He is becoming a contender.
Talbott entered UFC 332 with another opportunity to prove the hype surrounding him was justified, this time against former two-time UFC flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo. It took him only 2:09 of the first round to make his statement, overwhelming Figueiredo with strikes and earning the TKO victory.
What makes Talbott's rise especially impressive is the caliber of the names he is beginning to beat. His victory over Figueiredo came after defeating former two-division UFC champion Henry Cejudo. Talbott has now beaten two former champions in consecutive appearances.
And afterward, Talbott made it very clear who he wants next: Sean O'Malley.
That is exactly the kind of fight the UFC should make.
There is little reason to continue slowly bringing Talbott along. At 28 years old, he appears to have the striking, athleticism and confidence to compete against the division's biggest names. A fight with O'Malley would immediately tell us whether Talbott is simply one of the UFC's most exciting young fighters or a legitimate future bantamweight champion.
Figueiredo was supposed to represent another test.
Talbott turned him into another statement.
3. UFC 332 PROVED THAT A CARD DOESN'T NEED SUPERSTARS TO DELIVER
On paper, UFC 332 wasn't one of the strongest numbered events the UFC has put together.
Inside the Octagon, it was absolute chaos.
The card produced 11 finishes, with nine coming in the first round, setting a modern UFC record for opening-round finishes.
Roman Kopylov handed highly regarded prospect Ateba Gautier his first UFC defeat with a first-round TKO. Esteban Ribovicsstopped veteran King Green at 4:08 of the opening round. Damian Pinas delivered a devastating uppercut knockout against Andrey Pulyaev. Imanol Rodriguez remained unbeaten with a body-kick TKO, while Johnny Walker produced another highlight-reel moment by knocking out Mick Parkin with a knee.
Perhaps most importantly, UFC 332 provided a showcase for fighters who could become significant names over the next several years. Rodriguez, Talbott, Jacobe Smith and others took advantage of the spotlight, while Kopylov reminded everyone that prospects don't always get to follow the script.
The UFC ultimately awarded $100,000 Performance of the Night bonuses to Kopylov, Rodriguez, Pinas and Walker, which gives you an idea of just how many spectacular performances were packed into one event.
