Few fighters arrive in the UFC with a story as unique as Jeisla Chaves. Tonight, the former ring card girl picked up her first official UFC win with a split decision win over Yuneisy Duben at UFC Vegas 118.
Before she stepped into the Octagon as a professional mixed martial artist, Chaves was best known for walking around it. The Brazilian flyweight began her combat sports journey as a ring card girl at regional fight events in her home state of Bahia, Brazil. Years later, she has transformed herself from a familiar face between rounds into a UFC fighter competing on the sport’s biggest stage.
De ring girl 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 combat sports came through a friend who offered her work as a ring girl for local events. What started as a simple job quickly became a passion. Surrounded by fighters and immersed in the atmosphere of competition, she developed an interest in martial arts and began training Muay Thai.
The transition happened faster than anyone expected.
According to Chaves, one of her coaches, who also promoted events where she worked as a ring girl, told her she would be competing as a fighter within a year. At first, she thought he meant she would be returning to work another event as a ring girl. Instead, he had much bigger plans. Less than a year later, Chaves entered her first amateur Muay Thai bout and captured a championship.
That experience changed the direction of her life.
Determined to pursue a fighting career, Chaves made significant sacrifices. She left her job at a shoe factory and even turned down an opportunity to become a geography teacher, a profession she had originally hoped to enter. Despite concerns from family members who worried about the physical toll of fighting, she remained committed to her dream.
After expanding her skill set with Brazilian jiu-jitsu training, Chaves made her professional MMA debut in 2023 and quickly established herself as one of Brazil’s rising prospects. She compiled an undefeated record on the regional circuit before receiving a life-changing opportunity on Dana White’s Contender Series.
Her breakout moment came in September 2025 when she faced Sofia Montenegro in a brutal, back-and-forth battle on the Contender Series. The fight was so competitive and entertaining that UFC CEO Dana White awarded contracts to both competitors. Chaves earned a split-decision victory and officially secured her place on the UFC roster.
The achievement was especially meaningful because Chaves had to overcome additional challenges during fight week, including competing without her coaches in her corner due to travel and visa complications. Yet she persevered and delivered the performance of her career.
Now known by the nickname “A Braba” (“The Badass”), Chaves has completed one of the most unusual journeys in modern MMA. From carrying ring cards around local venues to fighting under the bright lights of the UFC, she represents the belief that opportunity can emerge from the most unexpected places.
For Chaves, the path from ring girl to UFC fighter was never part of the original plan. But through determination, sacrifice, and a willingness to chase a dream few believed possible, she has become living proof that sometimes the people standing on the outside of the cage are destined to one day stand inside it.