UFC 332 already faced questions about its star power before fight week began. Dana White’s latest media appearance has now added another talking point.The Dana White UFC 332 criticism centers on his apparent lack of familiarity with Saturday’s main event. MMA Fighting’s preview panel questioned White’s difficult night while breaking down Natalia Silva vs Wang Cong and the rest of the card.
Dana White Faces Criticism Before UFC 332
White spoke to reporters during UFC 332 fight week, but one exchange involving Wang quickly attracted attention. He appeared to confuse Wang’s résumé with that of her opponent.
White credited Wang with victories over Rose Namajunas, Jessica Andrade and Alexa Grasso. Those wins actually belong to Silva, who defeated all three during her current unbeaten UFC run.
The mistake stood out because Wang will compete for a vacant UFC championship on Saturday. It also came during a week when UFC 332 has faced criticism over its lineup and promotional attention.
MMA Fighting’s Mike Heck and Jed Meshew discussed the situation during their UFC 332 preview show. They questioned White’s apparent lack of enthusiasm and familiarity with the event’s headliner.
Natalia Silva Earned the Wins White Mentioned
Natalia Silva 20-5-1 enters UFC 332 after eight consecutive UFC victories. Her overall winning streak has reached 14 fights.
Silva defeated Andrade, Grasso and Namajunas across three consecutive appearances. Those victories established her as the leading contender at women’s flyweight.
She was initially expected to challenge Valentina Shevchenko. However, Shevchenko’s injury changed the championship picture and eventually produced the UFC 332 replacement main event.
White’s comments therefore mixed up one of the most important parts of Silva’s case for a championship opportunity.
Wang Cong Gets Her First UFC Title Opportunity
Wang Cong 10-1-0 enters the title fight on a four-fight winning streak. Her most recent victory came against Tracy Cortez at UFC 329.
The Chinese striker also brings extensive combat sports experience outside MMA. Her background includes high-level Sanda and kickboxing competition.
Wang’s title opportunity has nevertheless attracted debate because of how quickly she reached the championship fight. She entered fight week ranked below Silva and several other established contenders.
Her opportunity came after Shevchenko informed the UFC that injuries would keep her out for an extended period. The promotion then moved forward with Silva against Wang for the vacant belt.
UFC 332 Main Event Has Faced Criticism
Questions surrounding UFC 332 did not begin with White’s media appearance. The event has faced scrutiny since the UFC announced Silva vs Wang as its new headliner.
Neither woman has previously headlined a UFC event. Wang also has considerably less experience against elite UFC opposition than Silva.
Former UFC fighter Brendan Schaub previously attacked the matchmaking, calling it the “worst main event in MMA history.” That represents Schaub’s assessment rather than a consensus view of the matchup.
The championship circumstances also changed unexpectedly. The UFC originally planned Shevchenko vs Silva as the UFC 332 main event before the champion became unavailable.
Saturday will now determine a new undisputed women’s flyweight champion.
Figueiredo vs Talbott Adds Intrigue to UFC 332
The preview show also focused on the bantamweight co-main event between Deiveson Figueiredo and Payton Talbott.
Deiveson Figueiredo 25-7-1 enters after losing four of his previous five fights. The former two-time flyweight champion still brings significantly more high-level experience than his opponent.
Payton Talbott 11-1-0 has won five of his six UFC appearances. His only professional defeat came against Raoni Barcelos in January 2025.
Figueiredo has shown little concern about Talbott’s growing reputation. He has questioned the level of the younger contender despite entering Saturday as a sizable underdog.
King Green vs Esteban Ribovics Could Deliver Action
King Green and Esteban Ribovics provide another intriguing matchup on the UFC 332 card.
Green brings years of UFC experience and a difficult boxing style. Ribovics enters as the younger fighter with considerable finishing power.
The lightweight fight sits directly below Figueiredo vs Talbott on the main card. Roberto Soldić vs Khaos Williams and Ateba Gautier vs Roman Kopylov complete the five-fight main lineup.
The event therefore combines established veterans with several fighters still building their names at the UFC level.
UFC 332 Carries Extra Importance for CBS Era
UFC 332 also carries broadcasting significance. The entire five-fight main card will air on CBS alongside Paramount+ in the United States.
That makes the event the first UFC numbered main card to air entirely on CBS under the promotion’s new broadcast arrangement.
The placement increases attention on a card that lacks some of the established superstar names usually associated with numbered UFC events.
However, the main event still carries significant divisional consequences. Silva can complete her unbeaten UFC rise with championship gold, while Wang can accelerate her rapid climb by producing an upset.
When Does UFC 332 Start?
UFC 332 takes place Saturday, October 3, at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah.
The early prelims begin at 4 p.m. ET, followed by the prelims at 6 p.m. ET. The five-fight main card starts at 8 p.m. ET.
Paramount+ will stream the full event in the United States. CBS will broadcast the main card beginning at 8 p.m. ET.
Final Thoughts
The Dana White UFC 332 criticism has created an unwanted storyline immediately before one of the promotion’s championship events. White’s apparent mix-up involving Wang and Silva gave critics another reason to question the promotion surrounding Saturday’s card.
The fight itself now gets the final word. Silva enters with the stronger UFC résumé, while Wang has rapidly worked her way into an unexpected championship opportunity. One of them will leave Salt Lake City as the new women’s flyweight champion.
FAQs
Why is Dana White facing criticism before UFC 332?
White appeared to credit Wang Cong with victories that actually belong to Natalia Silva during his fight-week media appearance.
Who is fighting in the UFC 332 main event?
Natalia Silva faces Wang Cong for the vacant UFC women’s flyweight championship.
Why is the UFC women’s flyweight title vacant?
Valentina Shevchenko became unavailable because of injuries expected to keep her out for an extended period.
What is the UFC 332 co-main event?
Deiveson Figueiredo faces Payton Talbott in a bantamweight matchup.
When does UFC 332 take place?
UFC 332 takes place on October 3, 2026, at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah.
