Prediction: Cong Wang via Decision
Ariane da Silva vs. Cong Wang is one of those fights where both fighters are good enough defensively to keep the fight standing, but only one of them actually thrives in that kind of environment—and that’s Cong Wang.
Let’s be real: both women have solid takedown defense. They know how to stuff a shot, circle off the cage, and keep things in their wheelhouse. But neither of them is particularly eager to wrestle. They’re not going out there hunting single legs or chaining grappling sequences. So what we’re left with is a striking match, and that’s where the gap starts to show.
Wang doesn’t just strike—she flows. There’s rhythm in her game, a level of polish you can’t fake. Her speed is a real weapon, especially in the pocket. She doesn’t just throw one or two shots and reset—she mixes in feints, changes tempo, goes high-low, and makes you think twice about what’s coming next. She’s constantly setting traps, reading reactions, and creating openings. That kind of layered approach stands out big time when you’re up against someone like Ariane, who’s solid but a bit more basic on the feet.
Ariane da Silva has decent hands, but there’s a stiffness to her game. Her attacks are more predictable, more straight-line. She’ll throw, but she’s not disguising much. You know when the strike is coming, and you know where it’s going. That works against fighters who are slower or just trying to survive, but against someone with Wang’s timing and variety, she’s going to get outpaced.
And the speed difference? That’s real. Wang gets in and out cleaner, fires quicker, and doesn’t leave herself hanging in the pocket. Ariane can crack, but she needs to plant and swing to generate real damage. That extra half second she needs to load up might be the exact window Wang uses to slip, pivot, and fire right back.
With no serious threat of wrestling to mix things up, this fight turns into a test of striking IQ and athleticism—and Wang’s got the edge in both. Unless Ariane can make it ugly and turn it into a brawl, she’s going to be playing catch-up. Wang’s going to be first, going to be sharper, and going to be landing more consistently.