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 break up determination win over Yuneisy Duben at UFC Vegas 118.
Earlier than she stepped into the Octagon as an expert combined martial artist, Chaves was finest recognized for strolling round it. The Brazilian flyweight started her fight sports activities journey as a hoop card woman at regional battle occasions in her residence state of Bahia, Brazil. Years later, she has remodeled herself from a well-known 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 a pal who supplied her work as a hoop woman for native occasions. What began as a easy job shortly turned 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 quicker than anybody anticipated.
In line 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 yr. At first, she thought he meant she can be returning to work one other occasion as a hoop woman. As an alternative, he had a lot greater plans. Lower than a yr later, Chaves entered her first newbie Muay Thai bout and captured a championship.
That have modified the route of her life.
Decided to pursue a combating profession, Chaves made vital sacrifices. She left her job at a shoe manufacturing unit and even turned down a chance to grow to be a geography instructor, a career she had initially hoped to enter. Regardless of considerations from members of the family who anxious concerning the bodily toll of combating, she remained dedicated to her dream.
After increasing her ability 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 document on the regional circuit earlier than receiving a life-changing alternative on Dana White’s Contender Collection.
Her breakout second got here in September 2025 when she confronted Sofia Montenegro in a brutal, back-and-forth battle on the Contender Collection. The battle was so aggressive and entertaining that UFC CEO Dana White awarded contracts to each opponents. 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 further challenges throughout battle week, together with competing with out her coaches in her nook because of journey and visa problems. But she persevered and delivered the efficiency of her profession.
Now recognized by the nickname “A Braba” (“The Badass”), Chaves has accomplished one of the vital uncommon journeys in fashionable MMA. From carrying ring playing cards round native venues to combating beneath the brilliant lights of the UFC, she represents the idea that chance can emerge from probably the most sudden locations.
For Chaves, the trail from ring woman to UFC fighter was by no means a part of the unique plan. However by willpower, sacrifice, and a willingness to chase a dream few believed potential, she has grow to be dwelling proof that typically the folks standing on the skin of the cage are destined to at some point stand inside it.
