UFC 332 produced a new champion and several fighters ready for bigger opportunities. Now, matchmaking becomes the biggest question after a finish-heavy night in Salt Lake City.The UFC 332 next fights discussion starts with Natalia Silva and Payton Talbott. MMA Fighting’s Mike Heck and Alexander K. Lee also examined options for Esteban Ribovics, Roberto Soldić, Roman Kopylov and other winners after the event.
Natalia Silva’s Next Fight Could Depend on Valentina Shevchenko
Natalia Silva 21-5-1 captured the vacant women’s flyweight championship by defeating Wang Cong via unanimous decision. The victory extended her winning streak and completed a long climb through the division.
Valentina Shevchenko remains the obvious name hanging over Silva’s reign. Their original UFC 332 title fight disappeared after Shevchenko withdrew because of injuries. If the former champion recovers quickly enough, rescheduling that matchup would immediately answer one of the division’s biggest questions.
Silva Does Not Want to Wait for Shevchenko
Silva has made it clear that becoming champion will not make her inactive. That creates another possibility if Shevchenko requires a lengthy recovery.
The UFC could book Silva against another leading contender rather than delaying her first defense. Shevchenko relinquished the championship after her UFC 332 withdrawal, allowing the division to continue without waiting for her return.
That makes timing crucial. Shevchenko remains the biggest possible opponent, but Silva’s willingness to stay active could open the door for someone else first.
Payton Talbott Wants Sean O’Malley Next
Payton Talbott 12-1-0 delivered one of UFC 332’s biggest statements. He stopped former two-time flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo just 2:09 into the opening round.
Talbott immediately used his post-fight interview to call for Sean O’Malley. The matchup would give him another former champion while testing whether his recent rise can continue against the bantamweight elite.
O’Malley has since responded positively to the idea of fighting Talbott. However, he also rejected the suggestion that he had been avoiding the rising contender.
That exchange gives the UFC an easy storyline if it wants the fight. Talbott asked for O’Malley, and O’Malley has now publicly shown interest.
Is Sean O’Malley Too Big a Jump for Talbott?
Talbott’s performance against Figueiredo strengthens his case for a major opponent. However, moving directly into an O’Malley fight would represent another significant step.
He has already recovered impressively from his first professional defeat against Raoni Barcelos. Victories over Felipe Lima, Henry Cejudo and Figueiredo have quickly changed his position in the division.
The UFC could choose another highly ranked bantamweight before giving him O’Malley. Either route would move Talbott closer to the top of a division filled with established contenders.
His next ranking position should provide a clearer picture. The promotion’s broader UFC rankings updates will determine how much ground the Figueiredo victory earns him.
Esteban Ribovics Needs Another Established Lightweight
Esteban Ribovics 17-3-0 added another notable victory by stopping King Green in the opening round. The result gives the Argentine lightweight another opportunity to move toward tougher competition.
Green disputed the stoppage, but the official result remains a Ribovics victory. For matchmaking purposes, that should move Ribovics forward rather than immediately running the fight back.
A matchup with another experienced lightweight around the edge of the rankings would make sense. Ribovics has already shown that his aggressive striking can create difficult fights, but the next step should reveal whether he can consistently handle stronger opposition.
The UFC lightweight rankings provide several possible directions without pushing him directly into championship contention.
Roberto Soldić Deserves a Step Up After UFC Debut
Roberto Soldić 22-4-0, 1 NC finally made his UFC debut against Khaos Williams. The former two-division KSW champion survived early adversity before earning a unanimous decision.
Williams dropped Soldić twice during the opening round. Soldić recovered, adjusted and took control as the fight developed.
That comeback matters because Soldić arrived with considerable expectations. His reputation came largely from his knockout power, but his debut showed he can also recover when a UFC fight turns difficult.
The UFC now has room to increase the level of competition. Another established welterweight would show how quickly Soldić can move through a deep division.
Roman Kopylov Keeps Building Momentum
Roman Kopylov 15-5-0 produced another emphatic finish by stopping Ateba Gautier in the first round. The performance reinforced his position as one of middleweight’s most dangerous strikers.
Kopylov has spent several years moving between impressive wins and difficult setbacks. Another strong result gives the UFC an opportunity to test whether he can finally establish consistency against ranked-level competition.
A fight against someone around the lower end of the UFC middleweight rankings would answer that question. Kopylov has already shown his finishing ability, so his next challenge should test whether that offense works against the division’s stronger names.
Johnny Walker Has a New Future at Heavyweight
Johnny Walker 23-10-0, 1 NC made his heavyweight debut memorable by knocking out Mick Parkin with a knee in the opening round. The victory immediately made his move up in weight more interesting.
Walker spent most of his UFC career competing at light heavyweight. His speed and unpredictability looked dangerous against a bigger opponent, but one victory does not establish him as a heavyweight contender.
Another opponent outside the top tier would allow the UFC to evaluate his transition properly. The current UFC heavyweight rankings contain much larger and more experienced heavyweights than Walker has faced so far.
A gradual approach makes more sense than immediately matching him against a leading contender.
Alexander Hernandez Has Earned Another Meaningful Fight
Alexander Hernandez 19-9-0 stopped Rafael dos Anjos in the second round and added a former UFC champion to his résumé. It was an important result for a fighter who has experienced several difficult stretches during his UFC career.
Hernandez’s victory over Rafael dos Anjos should earn him another meaningful lightweight assignment. The UFC does not need to rush him toward the title picture, but another recognizable opponent would allow him to build on his UFC 332 momentum.
UFC 332 Created Several Matchmaking Opportunities
The UFC 332 card produced far more than a new women’s flyweight champion. Talbott strengthened his bantamweight rise, Ribovics moved forward at lightweight, and Soldić successfully began his UFC career.
Kopylov, Walker and Hernandez also created new opportunities with finishes. That leaves the UFC with several matchmaking decisions as it begins building cards for late 2026 and early 2027.
Silva’s situation remains the most important. She wants to defend her championship, but Shevchenko’s recovery timeline could determine whether the UFC books its most obvious flyweight matchup immediately.
Final Thoughts
The UFC 332 next fights could shape several divisions over the coming months. Natalia Silva against Valentina Shevchenko remains the biggest potential matchup, provided Shevchenko can return soon enough.
Payton Talbott against Sean O’Malley also has momentum after their public exchanges. Ribovics, Soldić, Kopylov, Walker and Hernandez all deserve opportunities to move forward. UFC 332 answered several questions inside the cage, but it created even more for the matchmakers.
FAQs
Who should Natalia Silva fight next?
Valentina Shevchenko remains the most obvious opponent if she recovers in time. Silva has also said she wants to remain active.
Who did Payton Talbott call out after UFC 332?
Talbott called out former UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley after stopping Deiveson Figueiredo.
Could Sean O’Malley fight Payton Talbott?
Yes. O’Malley has publicly shown interest in the matchup, although the UFC has not officially booked it.
What could be next for Roberto Soldić?
Soldić could receive another established welterweight after winning his UFC debut against Khaos Williams.
Has the UFC announced these post-UFC 332 fights?
No. These are potential matchmaking directions following UFC 332, and the promotion has not officially announced these matchups.
