Ali Akbar Rosady
Las Vegas, NV – Jeisla Chaves is poised to make her Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) debut at UFC Vegas 118 this Saturday, marking the culmination of an extraordinary journey that has seen her transition from holding ring cards to trading blows inside the octagon. The 29-year-old Brazilian, known for her aggressive fighting style and resilience, is scheduled to face Yuneisy Duben in a flyweight contest, a fight anticipated by many to be a high-octane affair.
Chaves’ path to the pinnacle of mixed martial arts is far from conventional. Hailing from Poções, a modest town nestled in the state of Bahia, Brazil, her early aspirations were rooted in a stable, academic career. Like many young Brazilians, Chaves pursued an education, graduating with a degree in geography with the clear intention of becoming a teacher. For a period, she settled into a conventional 9-to-5 job, a routine that offered security but little of the visceral excitement that would soon define her life.
The pivotal moment arrived unexpectedly when an old school friend extended an invitation that would irrevocably alter her trajectory. He proposed an opportunity to earn some extra income as a ring girl for a local Muay Thai event, an event organized by his coach. Chaves, open to new experiences, accepted the offer, unknowingly stepping through a doorway into a world she would soon dominate.
"I traded ring cards for gloves and that’s when everything changed in my life," Chaves recounted to MMA Fighting in the lead-up to her highly anticipated UFC Vegas 118 bout against Duben. This simple act of accepting a temporary job ignited a profound passion for combat sports, specifically Muay Thai, the art of eight limbs.
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Her immersion into the fight world was rapid and all-consuming. Within approximately a month of her initial ring girl appearance, Chaves found herself captivated by the discipline. Her burgeoning dedication did not go unnoticed by the event’s organizer, who also happened to be her burgeoning coach. His foresight and belief in her potential were remarkable.
"I had been training for only about a month when my coach, who is still my coach today and runs the promotion where I worked as a ring girl, told me, ‘Next year, you’ll be with me at the event,’" Chaves recalled. Initially, she misinterpreted his statement, assuming he was inviting her back as a ring girl. "At first, I thought he meant as a ring girl again. I said, ‘Okay, I’ll be there with you again. I’m glad you liked my work.’" The coach’s subsequent clarification, however, revealed his true vision for her: "He replied, ‘No, you’ll be there as my fighter.’"
This declaration served as a powerful catalyst. Less than a year after first stepping into the arena as a ring girl, Chaves made her amateur Muay Thai debut at that very event. She not only competed but emerged victorious, becoming a champion in her first outing. "That was the moment everything changed. I loved it. I knew that was what I wanted for my life," she affirmed, articulating the clarity that often accompanies such life-altering experiences.
With her passion firmly established, Chaves dedicated herself to honing her Muay Thai skills. Recognizing the multifaceted demands of mixed martial arts, she subsequently integrated jiu-jitsu into her training regimen. This strategic move was a clear indication of her intent to transition fully into MMA, a transition that materialized professionally in 2023.
The dual identity of ring girl and fighter was not lost on her local community. "I worked at events in my hometown and in the area, so some people where I’m from know me both as a ring girl and as a fighter," Chaves explained, highlighting the unique recognition she garnered in her native region. Her commitment to professional fighting necessitated significant sacrifices, a common theme among aspiring athletes in demanding sports.
"I started training professionally and gave up a lot of things," she elaborated. This included relinquishing her conventional employment and navigating complex family dynamics. "I quit my job and even had conflicts with my family. It’s not like my mom was against it, but she didn’t support it either because she would see me coming home injured and I was the only girl training at the gym." The cultural context of a young woman pursuing a physically demanding and often brutal sport in Brazil, often the sole female in a male-dominated gym, presented unique challenges and concerns for her family.
Chaves’ dedication extended to foregoing promising career opportunities. While working at a shoe factory, she declined a promotion that would have required her to relocate to a different city, a move that would have meant abandoning her gym and training environment. Furthermore, she passed on a job offer to teach geography at a local school, the very profession she had once meticulously prepared for. These decisions, made without her mother’s knowledge at the time, underscore the unwavering focus she placed on her fighting career. Ultimately, these sacrifices have led her to this momentous occasion, standing on the precipice of her UFC debut.
Her path to a UFC contract was solidified this past September on Dana White’s Contender Series (DWCS), a platform renowned for identifying and recruiting top-tier talent for the organization. Chaves engaged in a grueling, three-round "bloody war" against Sofia Montenegro. The bout was a testament to her tenacity and fighting spirit, ultimately earning her a split decision victory and, crucially, a UFC contract. The UFC, impressed by the caliber of the contest, signed both athletes from that memorable encounter.
Reflecting on her DWCS experience, Chaves acknowledged the profound personal growth it fostered. "That showed me that I’m stronger than I ever imagined," she stated. The intensity of the fight left a lasting impression, with Chaves confidently asserting, "I think that fight, if it had happened in the UFC, definitely would have earned us a [Fight of the Night] bonus. It was an amazing fight, exactly the way I like it."
A significant boost for her upcoming debut is the presence of her full coaching team. Chaves confirmed that her original coaches, who were unable to secure visas for her Contender Series appearance, will be with her in Las Vegas for UFC Vegas 118. Their presence is expected to provide invaluable support and strategic guidance for her first foray into the UFC octagon.
Her opponent, Yuneisy Duben, a Venezuelan athlete, presents a formidable challenge. Like Chaves, Duben entered the UFC with an unblemished professional record of 6-0. However, her promotional debut saw her suffer a first-round knockout loss to Carli Judice, providing Chaves with an opportunity to capitalize on Duben’s recent setback. Both fighters possess aggressive styles, promising an engaging contest for fans.
Chaves anticipates a similar, high-octane performance in her UFC debut. "I think it’s going to be the kind of fight I love," she predicted. "A lot of action, a lot of exchanges and blood, and hopefully something similar to what happened on the Contender Series." This preference for aggressive, forward-moving combat has earned her the fitting nickname "A Braba," which translates to "Badass" in Portuguese. This moniker encapsulates her fighting philosophy: relentlessly moving forward and engaging in striking exchanges, a trait she honed during her training sessions, often sparring with male partners.
As Jeisla Chaves steps into the UFC octagon, she carries not only the weight of her own aspirations but also the story of an unlikely ascent from a small Brazilian town to the bright lights of professional combat sports. Her debut at UFC Vegas 118 is more than just a fight; it is a declaration of purpose, a testament to resilience, and a powerful symbol of transformation within the ever-evolving world of mixed martial arts.
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