UFC 332 was extensively considered one of many weakest numbered playing cards in latest reminiscence, at the least on paper. The criticism intensified after the primary occasion was modified on the final minute to a vacant flyweight title struggle between g.
The late change got here after Valentina Shevchenko was pressured to vacate her title on account of shoulder and again accidents that have been anticipated to maintain her sidelined for at the least a yr.
Girls’s MMA has additionally confronted questions on its star energy lately, notably following Amanda Nunes’ departure from the game. Naturally, the UFC 332 headliner in Salt Lake Metropolis turned a speaking level on Demetrious Johnson and Israel Adesanya’s Precision podcast.
Adesanya admitted that he hadn’t realized the cardboard was being promoted as a significant attraction. He additionally identified that Silva and Cong have been comparatively unfamiliar names with out a longtime storyline to promote the struggle. Each he and Johnson even g the UFC’s return to Salt Lake Metropolis.
When their podcast producer reminded them that Silva vs. Cong was headlining the occasion, the 2 fighters burst into laughter on the UFC’s resolution. Nevertheless, their response didn’t sit properly with Kayla Harrison, one of many greatest stars in girls’s MMA.
Kayla Harrison Has Robust Phrases for Demetrious Johnson Over UFC 332 Criticism
In a latest i, Harrison took explicit challenge with Johnson mocking the matchup between Silva and Cong. The UFC girls’s bantamweight champion additionally introduced up Johnson’s earlier feedback about her probabilities towards Nunes.
She mentioned, “I’m simply sort of over (Demetrious Johnson’s) perspective. To begin with, he’s the one which mentioned I shouldn’t struggle Amanda; I ought to retire.”
Following UFC 316 in June 2025, Harrison turned the 135-pound champion after beating Julianna Pena. Johnson subsequently recommended that she ought to retire reasonably than face Nunes, believing she wouldn’t stand an opportunity towards the previous champion.
Harrison additionally criticized Johnson for taking pictures at up-and-coming feminine fighters who’re nonetheless making an attempt to determine themselves in a aggressive division. She argued that mocking fighters who haven’t but develop into family names does little to assist the game develop.
She mentioned, “This mindset of shortage is detrimental to the expansion of the game. There’s sufficient room on the desk for all of us to eat, and we don’t must belittle, poke enjoyable at, or put down anybody else to construct our personal model. I simply don’t imagine in that. And particularly for a retired fighter.”
Kayla Harrison shares why she took challenge with Demetrious Johnson’s latest feedback about Natalia Silva and Wang Cong:
“I’m simply sort of over Mighty’s perspective. I’m over it.
This mindset of shortage is detrimental to the expansion of the game. There’s sufficient room on the desk for all of us to eat, and we don’t must belittle or poke enjoyable or put down anybody else as a way to construct our personal model.
In fact these women usually are not stars but, however are you aware the way you construct a star? You fucking put them in the primary occasion, and also you construct them.
To speak shit about them like that, I simply really feel is pointless. Tremendous pointless.”
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) 6
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Harrison went on to clarify why giving comparatively unknown fighters alternatives in high-profile matchups will help them turn into larger stars.
She added, “In fact, these women usually are not stars but, however you understand how you construct a star? You place them in the primary occasion and construct them. You must begin someplace, so to speak s**t about them like that’s simply pointless, tremendous pointless.”
Regardless of the criticism surrounding the lineup, UFC 332 delivered an action-packed evening. The occasion set a s, together with 9 within the opening spherical, which additionally established a brand new file.
The primary occasion between Cong and Silva wasn’t an immediate basic, however the two flyweights placed on a good back-and-forth contest for the vacant title. Whereas the matchup might not have generated the joy of a blockbuster headliner beforehand, the occasion itself gave followers loads of motion.
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As for Harrison, she’ll quickly have the possibility to settle her personal rivalry with Nunes. The 2 are scheduled to fulfill within the 4 on November 14, with Harrison’s 135-pound title on the road.
After Johnson questioned whether or not Harrison might beat Nunes, the upcoming showdown offers the champion a chance to show him improper contained in the Octagon.
