Shevchenko Will Have 'Hands Full' With Silva: Din Thomas
Din Thomas says Valentina Shevchenko will have her hands full with new champ Natalia Silva after UFC 332.
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Valentina Shevchenko will have her "hands full" against new UFC women's flyweight champion Natalia Silva whenever the former titleholder returns from injury, according to UFC analyst Din Thomas.
Silva won the vacant flyweight title this past weekend at UFC 332, outpointing Wang Cong by unanimous decision after Shevchenko withdrew from the scheduled title fight due to injury ahead of the promotion's return to Salt Lake City. The win hands Silva the belt Shevchenko had held and sets up a champion versus former champion showdown once Shevchenko is medically cleared.
Breaking down the performance on CBS Sports' UFC 332 post-fight show, Thomas made clear he thinks Silva is more than ready for that eventual test. "I think even if it was Valentina, she gives Valentina a lot of problems," Thomas said. He pointed to the age gap between the two as a factor working against Shevchenko. "Remember Valentina, she's a little bit older. Natalia Silva's on a come-up. Age is a real thing. I think if Valentina comes back, she's going to have her hands full with Natalia Silva," Thomas said.
Thomas also praised what Silva said in the Octagon after the win. "I don't care what you think about her. The post-fight speech was as inspiring as the performance," he said.
When Will Shevchenko Fight Again?
There's no timeline yet for Shevchenko's return. She last fought at UFC 322, where she defeated Zhang Weili, and has not competed since due to the injury that forced her out of the Silva fight. Until the UFC and Shevchenko's camp provide clarity on her recovery, Silva is free to build her reign and could defend the belt against other contenders in the meantime.
Betting Angle
Books had Silva as a sizable favorite over Wang Cong heading into UFC 332, and her performance under pressure only reinforces why she opened at that number. A Shevchenko rematch at full health would be a far different market than her last two title defenses, where she was consistently the betting favorite. Given Shevchenko's layoff and the normal ring-rust discount sportsbooks price into returning champions coming off injury, don't be surprised if oddsmakers treat this one closer to a pick'em than the lopsided lines Shevchenko used to command. Nothing is booked yet, so there's no current line to point to, but the betting market will be worth watching the moment the UFC makes it official.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the new UFC women's flyweight champion?
Natalia Silva won the vacant UFC women's flyweight title at UFC 332, defeating Wang Cong by unanimous decision after Valentina Shevchenko withdrew from the fight due to injury.
Why didn't Valentina Shevchenko fight at UFC 332?
Valentina Shevchenko pulled out of her scheduled flyweight title defense ahead of UFC 332 due to injury, which led to Natalia Silva facing Wang Cong for the vacant belt instead.
What did Din Thomas say about Shevchenko vs. Silva?
UFC analyst Din Thomas said Valentina Shevchenko will 'have her hands full' with Natalia Silva whenever the two eventually meet, citing Silva's form and Shevchenko's age as factors.
