Joker persona helps Cong 'feel the fear' in opponents

What the report says

BBC Sport reports that Chinese flyweight Wang Cong will challenge Brazil’s Natalia Silva for the vacant UFC women’s flyweight title at UFC 332 on Saturday in Salt Lake City, with both fighters entering on long winning runs. Cong, 34, has won 10 of 11 professional MMA bouts and says her green hair, white face paint and red grin are part of a personal “Joker” style that helps her feel more aggressive and unsettles opponents at weigh-ins and in pre-fight appearances.

The article says Cong has drawn attention for her theatrical routines before fights, including previous gestures and props used as mind games. She told BBC Sport she expects to bring another surprise for Silva, while also praising the Brazilian as a high-level striker with strong footwork, distance control and kicking ability. Silva, 29, is ranked number one at flyweight and was originally expected to meet former champion Valentina Shevchenko before that title plan changed.

Cong also addressed criticism that she should not have received the title shot, saying she was initially surprised but believed her four-fight winning streak and the division’s scheduling situation made the matchup reasonable. The bout is notable as the first women’s UFC main event since January 2025 and comes at a time when women’s headliners have been relatively rare. Cong said success would matter for women’s MMA and could inspire more Chinese athletes, potentially making her only the second Chinese UFC champion after Zhang Weili.