Few fighters arrive within the UFC with a narrative as distinctive as Jeisla Chaves. Tonight, the previous ring card woman picked up her first official UFC win with a cut up determination win over Yuneisy Duben at UFC Vegas 118.
Earlier than she stepped into the Octagon as knowledgeable combined martial artist, Chaves was greatest identified for strolling round it. The Brazilian flyweight started her fight sports activities journey as a hoop card woman at regional battle occasions in her dwelling state of Bahia, Brazil. Years later, she has remodeled herself from a well-recognized face between rounds right into a UFC fighter competing on the game’s largest stage.
De ring woman para atleta do UFC, Jeisla Chaves é dona de um talento enorme pic.twitter.com/8l1K9V8TVE
— Eu Sabo De UFC (@eusabodeufc) June 6, 2026
Chaves’ introduction to fight sports activities got here by way of a pal who supplied her work as a hoop woman for native occasions. What began as a easy job shortly grew to become a ardour. Surrounded by fighters and immersed within the ambiance of competitors, she developed an curiosity in martial arts and started coaching Muay Thai.
The transition occurred sooner than anybody anticipated.
In accordance with Chaves, one in every of her coaches, who additionally promoted occasions the place she labored as a hoop woman, informed her she can be competing as a fighter inside a 12 months. At first, she thought he meant she can be returning to work one other occasion as a hoop woman. As a substitute, he had a lot larger plans. Lower than a 12 months later, Chaves entered her first beginner Muay Thai bout and captured a championship.
That have modified the path of her life.
Decided to pursue a preventing profession, Chaves made important sacrifices. She left her job at a shoe manufacturing facility and even turned down a possibility to turn into a geography instructor, a occupation she had initially hoped to enter. Regardless of considerations from members of the family who nervous in regards to the bodily toll of preventing, she remained dedicated to her dream.
After increasing her talent set with Brazilian jiu-jitsu coaching, Chaves made her skilled MMA debut in 2023 and shortly established herself as one in every of Brazil’s rising prospects. She compiled an undefeated file on the regional circuit earlier than receiving a life-changing alternative on Dana White’s Contender Sequence.
Her breakout second got here in September 2025 when she confronted Sofia Montenegro in a brutal, back-and-forth battle on the Contender Sequence. The battle was so aggressive and entertaining that UFC CEO Dana White awarded contracts to each rivals. Chaves earned a split-decision victory and formally secured her place on the UFC roster.
The achievement was particularly significant as a result of Chaves needed to overcome extra challenges throughout battle week, together with competing with out her coaches in her nook as a result of journey and visa problems. But she persevered and delivered the efficiency of her profession.
Now identified by the nickname “A Braba” (“The Badass”), Chaves has accomplished one of the crucial uncommon journeys in trendy MMA. From carrying ring playing cards round native venues to preventing below the brilliant lights of the UFC, she represents the idea that chance can emerge from essentially the most surprising locations.
For Chaves, the trail from ring woman to UFC fighter was by no means a part of the unique plan. However by way of willpower, sacrifice, and a willingness to chase a dream few believed attainable, she has turn into residing proof that typically the folks standing on the surface of the cage are destined to in the future stand inside it.
