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Ten-time IBJJF world champion and one of the most successful talents in the history of competitive Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Beatriz Mesquita (5-0) revealed in a video posted on social media that she will make her debut with the organization at UFC Rio on Oct. 11. The 135-pounder will be making a splash against Irina Alekseeva (5-3) in two-plus months, where she will try to hand “Russian Ronda” her first stoppage loss.
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“It’s official, I signed my contract with the UFC,” the 34-year-old announced. “I will be making my debut at UFC Fight Night Rio on Oct. 11 against Irina Alekseeva. This is a very special moment in my career. I am extremely happy that, in less than two years of training and just one year after my MMA debut, I have the opportunity to sign with the biggest event in the world in the sport. Even more so because I will be fighting in Brazil, in my hometown, in front of my fans, with my parents, family and friends present.”
A member of the IBJJF Hall of Fame, Mesquita still holds the record for the most championships as a black belt in its history. The Brazilian trained under Leticia Ribeiro for most of her combat sports upbringing, and she transitioned from grappling to MMA in 2023. Debuting as a pro in 2024, in just over one year she has amassed five victories, all inside the distance, although one came by disqualification when Hope Chase illegally upkicked her. “Bia” claimed the LFA women’s bantamweight throne by drumming out Sierra Lee Dinwoodie at LFA 211 in June.
Beloved Coach Showers UFC Signee With Praise
Undefeated in MMA, the Brazilian had already been identified last year by American Top Team coach Marcos da Matta as a future great acquisition for the UFC. The vaunted grappler has helped train the likes of Kayla Harrison and Mayra Bueno Silva at that camp.
“She arrived raw in ATT but her evolution is impressive,” “Parrumpa” remarked in June 2024. “She helped Kayla, ‘Sheetara.’ She started getting beaten up a lot and today she’s already making many girls look like white belts. In reality, the UFC is in need of someone like Bia at 135. They have Mackenzie [Dern] at 115, maybe Erin Blanchfield at 125, but no one in her jiu-jitsu level at 135. In addition to being a jiu-jitsu legend who fights to submit, Bia speaks good English, knows how to sell fights and is very pretty.”
This article first appeared at Recent News on Sherdog.com
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