Jacqueline Cavalcanti Bio
Jacqueline dos Santos Cavalcanti, born on August 29, 1997, is a Portuguese professional mixed martial artist who competes in the women’s Bantamweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Known inside the cage as “The Nightmare,” she has built a reputation as a durable, technical fighter with a well-rounded skill set. As of mid-2025, she holds a place inside the UFC women’s bantamweight rankings and continues to represent Portugal on the international stage.
Early Life and Background
Jacqueline dos Santos Cavalcanti was born in Pirituba, a neighborhood in the northern part of São Paulo, Brazil. Although she is now a Portuguese national and trains in Europe, her formative years were shaped by the rich martial arts culture of her native country. Brazil has long produced elite combat sports athletes, and the early environment around her provided a foundation rooted in discipline and physical conditioning.
Details about her family background and formal education are not publicly documented in the sources reviewed for this page. What is known is that her family later relocated, and Cavalcanti eventually established her home and training base in Almada, Portugal. That move aligned with her growing identity as a Portuguese representative fighter and helped her connect with the European MMA scene. Her multicultural path, from São Paulo to Almada, has given her a broad exposure to different training methodologies and coaching styles.
Path to MMA
Cavalcanti made her professional mixed martial arts debut on June 2, 2018, at Fight Company 5, where she faced Jackelin Casariego. She opened her career with a first-round TKO victory, an early sign of her finishing instincts. Over the following years, she competed in regional promotions across Europe, steadily building experience and sharpening her skill set against increasingly difficult opposition.
Her career progression included a notable bout against Nora Cornolle on July 10, 2021, at FFAC – FFA Challenge 2, which she won by unanimous decision. She later faced Martina Jindrová on March 4, 2022, at PFL Challenger Series 3, where she suffered a split decision loss, providing a valuable learning experience. Before joining the UFC, she captured the vacant Legacy Fighting Alliance (LFA) Women’s Bantamweight Championship at LFA 157 by defeating Melissa Croden via unanimous decision, a victory that served as her passport to the world’s largest MMA promotion.
Jacqueline Cavalcanti Career
Early Career (2018–2022)
Between 2018 and 2022, Jacqueline dos Santos Cavalcanti worked her way up the regional and international ranks, compiling wins in promotions such as Fight Company and FFA. Her debut win by TKO set the tone for an aggressive approach, and she continued to take fights on short notice when opportunities arose. Competing in the bantamweight division from the start of her career, she developed her striking and grappling under the guidance of her team.
During this developmental phase, Cavalcanti trained out of Almada, Portugal, with Reborn Fight Team, the gym that continues to anchor her career. The setbacks she experienced, including the split decision loss to Jindrová, helped her refine her strategy and conditioning. By the time she won the LFA bantamweight title, she had proven herself as a top-tier prospect outside the UFC.
UFC Breakthrough (2023–2024)
Cavalcanti made her UFC debut on September 2, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 226, stepping in on short notice to face Zarah Fairn after replacing Haily Cowan on the card. She won the fight by unanimous decision, an impressive introduction to the promotion. The victory showed that she could handle the step up in competition and established her as a serious contender in the bantamweight division.
On August 24, 2024, at UFC on ESPN 62, Cavalcanti faced Josiane Nunes and secured a split decision win, further cementing her place in the roster. Later that year, on September 28, 2024, at UFC Fight Night: Moicano vs. Saint Denis, she rematched Nora Cornolle, again winning by split decision in another short-notice assignment, this time replacing Germaine de Randamie. These back-to-back wins pushed her into the UFC women’s bantamweight rankings and set the stage for higher-profile matchups.
Current UFC Era (2025–Present)
In 2025, Jacqueline dos Santos Cavalcanti continued her rise with a unanimous decision win over Julia Avila on February 15 at UFC Fight Night 251. The victory over a seasoned veteran further demonstrated her ability to grind out wins against tough opposition. Her momentum carried her toward a marquee opportunity later in the year.
On November 8, 2025, at UFC Fight Night 264, Cavalcanti faced Mayra Bueno Silva and earned a unanimous decision win, one of the most significant victories of her career. That result reinforced her position inside the top ten of the UFC women’s bantamweight rankings. Training out of Reborn Fight Team in Almada, she continues to refine her craft alongside her coaching staff as she targets another climb up the division.
Style and Strengths
Cavalcanti is known for her composure, well-rounded game, and ability to perform in high-pressure situations. Her physical attributes, including a 5-foot-8 frame and a 70-inch reach, give her solid length for the bantamweight division. She has shown proficiency in both striking and grappling, with a finishing instinct early in her career that has since matured into a more measured, decision-oriented style against elite competition.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Cavalcanti’s most notable achievements are her LFA Women’s Bantamweight Championship win and her entry into the UFC women’s bantamweight rankings. Her short-notice debut victory over Zarah Fairn, her trio of 2024 decision wins, and her signature unanimous decision over Mayra Bueno Silva in 2025 stand out as defining moments in her young UFC career.
Jacqueline Cavalcanti Career Wins
Jacqueline dos Santos Cavalcanti has compiled a professional record of 10 wins against limited losses across multiple promotions. Her victories include finishes by knockout alongside a series of hard-fought decisions against quality opposition. Her win total reflects a steady climb from regional circuits to the upper tier of the UFC bantamweight division.
UFC Highlights
Cavalcanti’s UFC tenure began with a unanimous decision over Zarah Fairn in 2023 and continued with split decision wins over Josiane Nunes and Nora Cornolle in 2024. In 2025, she added a unanimous decision victory over Julia Avila and capped the year with a notable unanimous decision win against Mayra Bueno Silva, one of the division’s established names. These performances have established her as a consistent and dangerous competitor inside the octagon.
Other Wins and Performances
Outside the UFC, Cavalcanti captured the LFA Women’s Bantamweight Championship by defeating Melissa Croden and built her resume with wins at Fight Company and FFA. Her early TKO debut win signaled her finishing ability, while later decision victories demonstrated her growth as a complete mixed martial artist capable of adapting her style to different opponents.
Jacqueline Cavalcanti Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Publicly available information about Jacqueline dos Santos Cavalcanti’s family background, parents, and siblings is limited in the sources reviewed. Her birth in Pirituba, São Paulo, and her later relocation to Portugal represent the most clearly documented details of her personal history.
Personal Life
Cavalcanti currently resides in Almada, Portugal, where she trains with Reborn Fight Team. Beyond her residence and her ring nickname, “The Nightmare,” further personal details are not publicly verified in the available sources.
2025 Season Performance
Jacqueline dos Santos Cavalcanti’s 2025 campaign was highlighted by her unanimous decision win over Julia Avila at UFC Fight Night 251 in February. That victory carried significant weight given Avila’s experience and toughness, and it helped Cavalcanti maintain her standing within the bantamweight division. Throughout the year, she continued to handle business against ranked opposition while preparing for increasingly prominent opportunities.
The high point of her 2025 season came on November 8 at UFC Fight Night 264, where she defeated Mayra Bueno Silva by unanimous decision. The win over a fighter of Bueno Silva’s caliber served as a statement performance and pushed Cavalcanti further up the UFC women’s bantamweight rankings. Training out of Reborn Fight Team in Almada, she has built a strong partnership with her coaching staff that continues to shape her approach.
Heading into the end of 2025, Cavalcanti is positioned as a top-ten bantamweight with momentum on her side. Her combination of physical tools, decision-making maturity, and proven durability make her a compelling figure in one of the UFC’s most competitive divisions. With each appearance, she moves closer to a potential title shot and a chance to cement her legacy as one of Portugal’s premier mixed martial artists.