Edgar Chairez in pursuit of UFC ranking: ‘I’m among the best’

Edgar Chairez already got a taste of the best the UFC flyweight division has to offer, and despite the negative results, he’s grown in confidence.

Within his first year in the UFC, the Mexican fighter fought current UFC flyweight champion Joshua Van and recent title challenger Tatsuro Taira. Chairez (13-6 MMA, 3-2 UFC) lost both bouts by decision but gave them tough outings. Since the pair of defeats, Chairez has put together a two-fight winning streak with victories over C.J. Vergara and Felipe Bunes. Now, “Puro Chicali” looks to go 3-0 at Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 278 when he takes on ranked UFC flyweight veteran Bruno Silva (15-8-2 MMA, 5-5 UFC).

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“I’m fighting No. 15, so I think if I beat him, I’m taking his place,” Chairez told Hablemos MMA in Spanish. “And if I don’t take No. 15, I think I’ll still be among the best 10 in the world. There’s been a lot of talk, and those who are haters criticize me like, ‘Because you fought Joshua Van, because you fought Tatsuro.’ Well, yeah, bro. What do you want me to say? That I fought nobody? Obviously I’ve been fighting the best, and I’m going to keep saying that. I think it shows my level and placement.

“Also, I’m not the same guy who lost in those fights. I’m much better. I’ve evolved. I’m going to keep on saying it: I’m evolving, and I know I’m among the best in the world. It’s just a matter of getting the opportunity to show it.”

Unfortunately for Chairez, his UFC career hasn’t panned out the way he hoped. Apart from the pair of defeats to Van and Taira, Chairez hasn’t received the level of activity he had hoped for. Chairez fought twice in 2024 and only once in 2025. He hopes this year comes with more action, and so far it’s looking good ahead of his second fight for 2026.

“I need to make up for last year,” Chairez said. “Last year, I was left without fighting, so this time around I hope to fight three or four times. I’m sure I’m going to leave unscathed from this fight, and I will raise my hand to get a quick return, hopefully at International Fight Week. Maybe I can sneak on that card. Why not? There’s also Noche UFC, if not any card. I just have to stay ready because this year I said I wanted to be active, and that’s how it’s got to be done.”

This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Edgar Chairez in pursuit of UFC ranking: ‘I’m among the best’