We finally have a clearer picture of why Valentina Shevchenko has been out of action for so long. Her camp has shed light on the injury that reportedly forced her out of a planned event and ultimately led to her vacating the women's flyweight title. We're hearing she suffered ligament damage to both her shoulder and her back. It's a brutal combination for any fighter, let alone a champion trying to plan a comeback timeline, and it explains why her camp has been cautious about rushing her back.
Sources (12)
We summarise the day's news in our own words. Full credit to the outlets below for the original reporting, click through to read their work.
- Salahdine Parnasse immediately enters UFC lightweight top 10 while new heavyweight contender emerges (Bloody Elbow)
- Valentina Shevchenko’s coach reveals injury behind ‘long’ UFC hiatus (Sherdog)
- Paddy Pimblett open to any top lightweight, still likes Ilia Topuria grudge match: ‘I’d love to smash his head in’ (MMA Fighting)
- Report: Former UFC middleweight champ to make commentary debut at DWCS (Sherdog)
- Colby Covington says he’s not fully retired, names condition for UFC return (Sherdog)
- UFC legend brands Paddy Pimblett the one man who can ‘ground Salahdine Parnasse’ after stunning debut (Bloody Elbow)
- Pereira expects UFC rematch with Gane to happen (Yahoo Sports)
- Paddy Pimblett Says UFC Has Not Called About Ilia Topuria Fight (MiddleEasy)
- Vadim Nemkov draws familiar foe for PFL heavyweight title defense (Sherdog)
- Former UFC fighter calls out Michael Page after reported UFC exit (Sherdog)
- Mickey Gall ready to 'reintroduce myself as a man' in UFC return (Sherdog)
- Valentina Shevchenko Suffered Ligament Damage to Shoulder and Back, Coach Reveals UFC 332 Withdrawal Reason (Yahoo Sports)
Split from that day's roundup, so the sources listed are the full set behind the whole edition rather than this story alone.
This story ran in the September 8, 2026 edition of the daily show.