Las Vegas — Undefeated Contender Series alum Jeisla Chaves made a successful promotional debut at UFC Vegas 118 on Saturday, coming out on the right side of a split decision against Yuneisy Duben.
“I’m very emotional still. It hasn’t dawned on me that I’m here, but I’m here and making my debut in the greatest organization in the world. And coming out with a win,” Chaves (8-0) said following the victory, speaking with Cageside Press and other media outlets.
Despite the judges’ scorecards, Chaves doesn’t feel the bout was truly a split decision. “Happy even though it was a split decision. I do not believe it was a split decision, but that just tells me one thing: the next time you’ve gotta train more, you’ve got to come here and you’ve gotta finish the fight. So that’s what you’re gonna do.”
“You never want to leave things in the hands of the judges. We’ll come back stronger, but we’re very happy with the win,” she added.
In the end, Chaves does feel she made a statement with her debut performance inside the UFC octagon. As to what that statement was, it’s “that I’m always going to bring war, that I’m always going to be somebody that’s going to look for the finish, somebody’s that going to give a rugged performance, and someone that doesn’t fear anybody. No matter what happens, I’m always going to be coming in to put on a show, and you’re always going to love my performances.”
Watch the full UFC Vegas 118 post-fight press conference Jeisla Chaves