Wang Cong's Joker‑like Persona Sparks Controversy Ahead of UFC Title Clash

Wed Oct 07 2026 07:33:46 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Chinese fighter Wang Cong adopts a Joker‐inspired look to unsettle opponents as she prepares for the vacant flyweight title bout against Natalia Silva.

Wang Cong, 34, has built a reputation for psychological intimidation by dyeing her hair green, painting her face white and carving a bright red grin before fights. Her chosen look stems from the playing card that inspired the comic‑book villain Joker, and she reports it helps her feel fearless and perform at her best. The upcoming UFC 332 bout in Salt Lake City pits Cong against Brazil’s Natalia Silva for the vacant flyweight world title, a fight that has drawn criticism from fans who preferred other UFC marquee matchups. Amid debates over her unconventional tactics, Cong emphasizes her role in advancing women’s presence in the UFC and hopes her success will inspire more Chinese athletes to pursue mixed‑martial‑arts careers.

Wang Cong's Joker‑like Persona Sparks Controversy Ahead of UFC Title Clash

The 34‑year‑old Chinese striker has become famous for entering fights with her hair dyed bright green, her face painted stark white and a wide‑smiled red grin that has fans guessing what she means. Cong explains that the look is not a nod to Batman’s arch‑enemy but rather to the playing card that inspired the Joker comic‑book villain, and she says it helps her “feel the fear” in opponents.

On the eve of UFC 332 in Salt Lake City, Cong will face Brazil’s Natalia Silva in the bout for the vacant flyweight world title. Silva, 29, is the top‑ranked UFC fighter in the division and has a 14‑fight win streak across several promotions.

Cong admitted to some surprise at being selected for the title fight after the originally scheduled challenger Valentina Shevchenko was forced to relinquish the belt through injury. “I was a little bit surprised,” she said, adding that her four‑fight winning streak made her a logical choice.

The matchup is significant for women in the UFC, the first female main event of a numbered event since the August 2023 version. Cong said it felt “meaningful” to fight for the title and that a win would make her only the second Chinese UFC champion, following former strawweight champion Zhang Weili.

Despite the excitement, some fans on social media have called for a different main event, naming champions such as Jiri Prochazka or Ciryl Gane. When asked about the criticism, Cong replied simply, “I’ve got nothing to say right now. After my fight I think they will shut up.”