Jacqueline Cavalcanti is enjoying a vibrant life in Las Vegas after a remarkable journey. Initially leaving Brazil’s favelas to settle in Portugal at the age of 11, she now finds herself just a few miles from the UFC APEX, living experiences once only imagined in video games.
In preparation for her fight against former title challenger Mayra Bueno Silva at UFC Vegas 111, Cavalcanti had an exciting outing in the desert. She visited a shooting range with friends, including Austin Russell, famously known as “Chumlee” from Pawn Stars. Cavalcanti shared her excitement about the unique experience, saying, “Everything is very big here in Vegas, but at the same time everything is very small and everybody knows each other.” She described shooting various firearms, including shotguns and a sniper rifle, equating the experience to her video game adventures. “What you see in Free Fire, or when you’re playing Call of Duty became real,” she reflected, emphasizing the fun and camaraderie of the outing.
Although Cavalcanti would love to have “Chumlee” attend one of her fights, she doesn’t believe he will make it this weekend. However, she previously introduced him to the UFC Performance Institute, which he enjoyed.
As a rising star in the UFC’s bantamweight division, Cavalcanti aims to leave her mark. After winning the LFA champion title in 2023, she quickly made her UFC debut, achieving four consecutive victories against notable competitors like Zarah Fairn and Julia Avila. Looking ahead to the bout with Bueno Silva, she recognizes the challenge: “I think it will be the toughest fight of my career because I’m facing a fighter who has already been a title challenger.” Cavalcanti aims to showcase her striking skills while preparing for Bueno Silva’s potential grappling strategy.
Prior to her upcoming fight, Cavalcanti noticed a lack of ranked opponents willing to contest her, which postponed her return to the octagon after her last victory in February. However, she remains undeterred and enthusiastic about demonstrating her full potential in the fight.
Cavalcanti’s journey reflects the culmination of hard work and determination, and as she steps into the octagon this weekend, fans are eager to see how far her relentless spirit and emerging talent will take her.