UFC flyweight Edgar Chairez survived a shooting in Mexico before reaching the octagon

Edgar Chairez was shot during a street brawl in Mexicali, Mexico, more than a decade ago and survived only because the gunmen could not shoot straight. The UFC flyweight, now 30, shared the story ahead of his fight with Bruno Silva at UFC Vegas 118 this Saturday after posting a hospital-bed photo on social media earlier this year that prompted questions from fans.

“It was a friend’s fight on the street,” Chairez explained. “I was involved because I was there, but no, it wasn’t my fight. So I tried to break them up, and while I was doing that, since I was in the group, they shot at both of us. They shot my friend, like, four times. I only got hit once. And honestly, I got away only because I ran, but they kept shooting at me until they ran out of bullets. They were such idiots — they had terrible aim. They only hit me once.”

Chairez described the violence as an unavoidable feature of life in the neighbourhood where he grew up, drawing a comparison to conditions he associated with Brazil. “That crime issue is very out of control, and I also ended up being involved in one of those situations where people had guns, and I almost lost my life,” he said. “The good thing is, I’m still here for a reason.”

Despite the rough environment, Chairez said sport — not the streets — defined his childhood. His first love was football, and he harboured ambitions of becoming a professional soccer player until the age of 18. MMA was not part of his world growing up; his only connection to combat sports came through stories about celebrated Mexican boxers.

“From the very beginning, my life was all about sports,” he said. “I do come from a tough neighbourhood, but I wasn’t a gang member. My mindset was always about football. My dream was to be a professional footballer. I throw kicks, but in the face, not on the ball anymore, right?”

Chairez carries a UFC record of 3-2 with one no-contest into Saturday’s bout. His two most recent wins came against CJ Vergara and Felipe Bunes, while his two losses were suffered against Joshua Van and Tatsuro Taira — the pair who contested the most recent UFC flyweight title fight. A victory over Silva would represent a significant step up in his campaign to establish himself in the division’s upper tier.

The fight also carries personal symbolism for Chairez beyond the rankings. UFC Vegas 118 takes place five days before Mexico kick off their FIFA World Cup campaign against South Africa in Mexico City, with this year’s tournament co-hosted by Mexico, Canada, and the United States. Chairez said he is hoping a strong performance earns him an invitation to attend a World Cup match in person.