LAS VEGAS – Wang Cong arrived in style during UFC on ESPN 62 fight week – from her faceoff dressed as the “Joker” to her 62-second one-punch knockout of Victoria Leonardo.
Though she only holds a half-dozen fights-worth of MMA experience, Cong (6-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC) has a hefty resume of combat sports bouts. That includes a 2015 kickboxing victory over Valentina Shevchenko (23-4-1 MMA, 13-2-1 UFC).
Should they ever meet in the UFC, Cong thinks something similar will transpire.
“You guys only know I beat Shevchenko in kickboxing,” Cong told MMA Junkie and other reporters at a post-fight news conference. “But you don’t know I’m a sambo world champion, a boxing world champion, and a kickboxing world champion. I think comparing Valentina Shevchenko to me is that she has more experience. But I took some time to compete in boxing. I believe my striking is better than her. … If she takes the fight, (I can beat her) any time.”
Shevchenko competes Sept. 14 in a title challenge vs. Alexa Grasso in the UFC 306 co-main event, so Cong likely has a way to go before a rematch occurs. In the meantime, Cong has faith in her past opponent.
“I believe she can take the fight to (Grasso) again,” Cong said. “Because we competed in kickboxing, I know how good she is, and I believe in her (to win at UFC 306).”
Floyd Mayweather dominates John Gotti III in exhibition that includes bizarre referee substitution
Photos: Floyd Mayweather vs. John Gotti III exhibition in Mexico City
Following her victory Saturday, she called for a fight vs. Casey O’Neill as her next potential outing. O’Neill (10-2 MMA, 5-2 UFC) defeated Luana Santos at UFC 305 on Aug. 17, but was handed a 180-day medical suspension by the Western Australia Combat Sports Commission. The extent of the injury or whether or not it was precautionary is not yet known.
But for Cong, the callout was more about where (in the rankings) and not who.
“I just looked at the rankings board and think it’s a good fight,” Cong said. “I just want to jump in the rankings and get my title shot.”
Regardless of who or when or where is next for her, Cong radiates confidence, as she without hesitation called herself the best female flyweight boxer in the UFC.
“I didn’t take a close look for the whole division,” Cong said. “But myself, I’m very confident because I don’t care about others. I believe I’m the best.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 62 .
Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs John Gotti III exhibition match at the Arena CDMX, in Mexico City Floyd Mayweather Jr. stands in the ring on the day of an exhibition match with John… Floyd Mayweather Jr. stands in the ring on the day of an exhibition match with John Gotti III, at the Arena CDMX, in Mexico City, Mexico, August 24, 2024. REUTERS/Henry Romero
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Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs John Gotti III exhibition match at the Arena CDMX, in Mexico City Floyd Mayweather Jr. greets people on the day of an exhibition match with John Gotti III,… Floyd Mayweather Jr. greets people on the day of an exhibition match with John Gotti III, at the Arena CDMX, in Mexico City, Mexico, August 24, 2024. REUTERS/Henry Romero
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BOX-MEXICO-MAYWEATHER-GOTTI US boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. (R) fights with US boxer John Gotti III during an exhibition… US boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. (R) fights with US boxer John Gotti III during an exhibition fight at the Arena Ciudad de Mexico in Mexico City on August 24, 2024. (Photo by ALFREDO ESTRELLA / AFP) (Photo by ALFREDO ESTRELLA/AFP via Getty Images)
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BOX-MEXICO-MAYWEATHER-GOTTI US boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. (L) fights with US boxer John Gotti III during an exhibition… US boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. (L) fights with US boxer John Gotti III during an exhibition fight at the Arena Ciudad de Mexico in Mexico City on August 24, 2024. (Photo by ALFREDO ESTRELLA / AFP) (Photo by ALFREDO ESTRELLA/AFP via Getty Images)
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BOX-MEXICO-MAYWEATHER-GOTTI US boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. (C) fights with US boxer John Gotti III during an exhibition… US boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. (C) fights with US boxer John Gotti III during an exhibition fight at the Arena Ciudad de Mexico in Mexico City on August 24, 2024. (Photo by ALFREDO ESTRELLA / AFP) (Photo by ALFREDO ESTRELLA/AFP via Getty Images)
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BOX-MEXICO-MAYWEATHER-GOTTI US boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. (back) fights with US boxer John Gotti III during an exhibition… US boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. (back) fights with US boxer John Gotti III during an exhibition fight at the Arena Ciudad de Mexico in Mexico City on August 24, 2024. (Photo by ALFREDO ESTRELLA / AFP) (Photo by ALFREDO ESTRELLA/AFP via Getty Images)
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Mayweather v Gotti III - Exhibition Fight MEXICO CITY, MEXICO - AUGUST 24: John Gotti III (L) tries to kiss Floyd Mayweather Jr… MEXICO CITY, MEXICO - AUGUST 24: John Gotti III (L) tries to kiss Floyd Mayweather Jr during an exhibition fight at Arena Ciudad de Mexico on August 24, 2024 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Agustin Cuevas/Getty Images)
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BOX-MEXICO-MAYWEATHER-GOTTI US boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. (R) fights with US boxer John Gotti III during an exhibition… US boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. (R) fights with US boxer John Gotti III during an exhibition fight at the Arena Ciudad de Mexico in Mexico City on August 24, 2024. (Photo by ALFREDO ESTRELLA / AFP) (Photo by ALFREDO ESTRELLA/AFP via Getty Images)
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BOX-MEXICO-MAYWEATHER-GOTTI US boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. (R) fights with US boxer John Gotti III during an exhibition… US boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. (R) fights with US boxer John Gotti III during an exhibition fight at the Arena Ciudad de Mexico in Mexico City on August 24, 2024. (Photo by ALFREDO ESTRELLA / AFP) (Photo by ALFREDO ESTRELLA/AFP via Getty Images)
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BOX-MEXICO-MAYWEATHER-GOTTI US boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. (R) fights with US boxer John Gotti III during an exhibition… US boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. (R) fights with US boxer John Gotti III during an exhibition fight at the Arena Ciudad de Mexico in Mexico City on August 24, 2024. (Photo by ALFREDO ESTRELLA / AFP) (Photo by ALFREDO ESTRELLA/AFP via Getty Images)
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BOX-MEXICO-MAYWEATHER-GOTTI US boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. (L) fights with US boxer John Gotti III during an exhibition… US boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. (L) fights with US boxer John Gotti III during an exhibition fight at the Arena Ciudad de Mexico in Mexico City on August 24, 2024. (Photo by ALFREDO ESTRELLA / AFP) (Photo by ALFREDO ESTRELLA/AFP via Getty Images)
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BOX-MEXICO-MAYWEATHER-GOTTI US boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. (L) fights with US boxer John Gotti III during an exhibition… US boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. (L) fights with US boxer John Gotti III during an exhibition fight at the Arena Ciudad de Mexico in Mexico City on August 24, 2024. (Photo by ALFREDO ESTRELLA / AFP) (Photo by ALFREDO ESTRELLA/AFP via Getty Images)
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Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs John Gotti III exhibition match at the Arena CDMX, in Mexico City Floyd Mayweather Jr. and John Gotti III in action during their exhibition match, at the Arena… Floyd Mayweather Jr. and John Gotti III in action during their exhibition match, at the Arena CDMX, in Mexico City, Mexico, August 24, 2024. REUTERS/Henry Romero
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Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs John Gotti III exhibition match at the Arena CDMX, in Mexico City Floyd Mayweather Jr. and John Gotti III in action during their exhibition match, at the Arena… Floyd Mayweather Jr. and John Gotti III in action during their exhibition match, at the Arena CDMX, in Mexico City, Mexico, August 24, 2024. REUTERS/Henry Romero
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Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs John Gotti III exhibition match at the Arena CDMX, in Mexico City Floyd Mayweather Jr. and John Gotti III in action during their exhibition match, at the Arena… Floyd Mayweather Jr. and John Gotti III in action during their exhibition match, at the Arena CDMX, in Mexico City, Mexico, August 24, 2024. REUTERS/Henry Romero
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Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs John Gotti III exhibition match at the Arena CDMX, in Mexico City Floyd Mayweather Jr. looks on during an exhibition match, at the Arena CDMX, in Mexico City,… Floyd Mayweather Jr. looks on during an exhibition match, at the Arena CDMX, in Mexico City, Mexico, August 24, 2024. REUTERS/Henry Romero
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Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs John Gotti III exhibition match at the Arena CDMX, in Mexico City Floyd Mayweather Jr. and John Gotti III in action during their exhibition match, at the Arena… Floyd Mayweather Jr. and John Gotti III in action during their exhibition match, at the Arena CDMX, in Mexico City, Mexico, August 24, 2024. REUTERS/Henry Romero
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Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs John Gotti III exhibition match at the Arena CDMX, in Mexico City Floyd Mayweather Jr. and John Gotti III in action during their exhibition match, at the Arena… Floyd Mayweather Jr. and John Gotti III in action during their exhibition match, at the Arena CDMX, in Mexico City, Mexico, August 24, 2024. REUTERS/Henry Romero
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Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs John Gotti III exhibition match at the Arena CDMX, in Mexico City Floyd Mayweather Jr. and John Gotti III in action during their exhibition match, at the Arena… Floyd Mayweather Jr. and John Gotti III in action during their exhibition match, at the Arena CDMX, in Mexico City, Mexico, August 24, 2024. REUTERS/Henry Romero
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Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs John Gotti III exhibition match at the Arena CDMX, in Mexico City Floyd Mayweather Jr. and John Gotti III in action during their exhibition match, at the Arena… Floyd Mayweather Jr. and John Gotti III in action during their exhibition match, at the Arena CDMX, in Mexico City, Mexico, August 24, 2024. REUTERS/Henry Romero
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Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs John Gotti III exhibition match at the Arena CDMX, in Mexico City Floyd Mayweather Jr. and John Gotti III in action during their exhibition match, at the Arena… Floyd Mayweather Jr. and John Gotti III in action during their exhibition match, at the Arena CDMX, in Mexico City, Mexico, August 24, 2024. REUTERS/Henry Romero
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