At UFC 316 in Newark, New Jersey, Wang Cong showcased a strong performance against Ariane Da Silva, who weighed in six pounds over the limit for their flyweight bout. Despite winning by unanimous decision and marking the first time she defeated a ranked opponent, Cong had mixed feelings about her display in the octagon. “I feel like I didn’t show my skill fully; I only showed a little bit," Cong reflected in her post-fight interviews. With a record now sitting at 8-1, the fighter recognized that there were more levels to her game that she had yet to reveal.
During the press conference, Cong elaborated on her performance through a translator, stating, “I feel like I’m still kind of conservative in the octagon. I feel like I should open my character.” She expressed a desire to channel her persona, likening herself to The Joker, a character for whom she has become known at weigh-ins. “I should be crazy like the Joker,” she said, revealing her ambition to infuse more excitement and unpredictability into her fighting style.
Training with the renowned Team Alpha Male has provided Cong with valuable experience. Although she has only been part of the team for a short time, she emphasized their influence on her confidence and skills. “They helped me so much; they made me feel very confident there,” she mentioned, acknowledging the support she received. However, Cong also recognized that there is more work to do on her journey to become a UFC champion. “I feel I need more time. I need to learn more skills, and I will put on more exciting performances,” she asserted.
Concerning her aspirations in the UFC flyweight division, Cong remarked that her latest fight highlighted areas for improvement in her game. "I feel like this fight made me aware of where my weaknesses are," she noted. This realization fuels her determination to return to training with renewed vigor. "I will go back and train like crazy," she added, indicating her commitment to closing those gaps in her performance and achieving her championship goals.
While fans eagerly anticipate her next fight, they can look forward to a version of Wang Cong that embraces her full potential and character in the cage. The path to becoming a top contender in the UFC is usually laden with challenges, but with the mindset and support system she is cultivating, Wang Cong appears poised for a bright future in mixed martial arts.
For those wanting to see more of Wang Cong's post-fight media appearance, video coverage is available featuring her insights and plans moving forward in her career.
