Kyrgyzstani mixed martial artist Valentina Shevchenko has decided to vacate her Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) title, reports infohub.kz.
Shevchenko was scheduled to defend her flyweight title (up to 56.7 kg) against Brazil's Natalia Silva at UFC 322, which was to take place in October in Salt Lake City, USA.
However, the Kyrgyzstan representative suffered an injury and was forced to withdraw from the bout. She informed the UFC that she would not be able to compete for at least a year. Consequently, Shevchenko vacated the championship belt.
The vacant title will now be contested by Silva and China's Wang Cong, who are ranked first and eighth in the division, respectively. The Brazilian has won her last 14 fights, while her new opponent is on a four-fight winning streak.
The UFC noted: "This fight brings together two dynamic and exciting strikers, each capable of creating unforgettable moments when they step into the octagon."
Valentina Shevchenko is 38 years old. She tops the UFC women's pound-for-pound rankings.