10-Time World Jiu-Jitsu Champion Eagerly Anticipates UFC Debut Rediscovering Her Passion for Competition
Bia Mesquita Makes Historic UFC Debut at UFC Rio
Bia Mesquita, a ten-time world jiu-jitsu champion from Saquarema, Rio de Janeiro, is set to make her highly anticipated UFC debut this Saturday against Irina Alekseeva at UFC Rio. Known for her illustrious jiu-jitsu career, Bia is excited and ready for this new chapter, bringing a mix of anxiety, happiness, and renewal as she steps into the octagon for the first time at home, surrounded by family and fans.
From Jiu-Jitsu Champion to UFC Fighter
Bia Mesquita expressed her excitement about fighting in Rio de Janeiro, stating, “I couldn’t be happier to debut in the UFC here in Rio. This setting is perfect, fighting at home with my family and fans cheering. It’s a unique motivation to give my best every day, despite the challenges.” Her transition from jiu-jitsu to MMA was driven by the desire to reignite her competitive spirit, seeking the thrill of a new challenge in her athletic career.
Inspired by Brazilian Champions
Bia finds inspiration in the achievements of fellow Brazilian athletes, particularly Alex Poatan’s recent title victory, which boosts her belief in ascending to similar heights in the UFC. She noted, “Seeing someone with fewer fights achieve success is incredibly inspiring for someone like me just starting out in this new arena.”
Watch UFC Rio Live
UFC Rio will be streamed live via the ‘Fight Pass’ service starting at 17:00 Brasília time, with the main card commencing around 20:00. UFC fans can also catch the first three fights for free on UFC’s official Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok profiles.
Exciting Lineup at UFC Rio
The co-main event will feature former champion Deiveson Figueiredo seeking redemption in a bantamweight bout against Montel Jackson. Figueiredo, reflecting on a previous defeat, shared his determination to show a renewed and robust performance, encouraged by fighting in Rio’s energizing atmosphere.
Brazilian Contenders to Watch
- Charles “do Bronx” Oliveira vs. Mateusz Gamrot in a lightweight contest.
- Vicente Luque faces Joel Álvarez in a welterweight clash.
- Jhonata Diniz vs. Mario Pinto in the heavyweight division.
- Ricardo Ramos challenges Kaan Ofli in a featherweight match.
Main and Preliminary Cards
| Division | Fighter A | Fighter B |
|---|---|---|
| Lightweight | Charles “do Bronx” Oliveira | Mateusz Gamrot |
| Bantamweight | Deiveson Figueiredo | Montel Jackson |
| Welterweight | Vicente Luque | Joel Álvarez |
| Heavyweight | Jhonata Diniz | Mario Pinto |
| Featherweight | Ricardo Ramos | Kaan Ofli |
Preliminary Fights to Look Forward To
The preliminary card, starting at 17:00, features a host of Brazilian talent eager to impress, including:
- Lucas Almeida vs. Michael Aswell in featherweight.
- Jafel Filho vs. Clayton Carpenter in flyweight.
- Vitor Petrino vs. Thomas Petersen in heavyweight.
- Bia Mesquita vs. Irina Alekseeva in a bantamweight debut bout.
- Lucas Rocha vs. Stewart Nicoll in flyweight.
- Julia Polastri vs. Karolina Kowalkiewicz in strawweight.
- Luan Lacerda vs. Saimon Oliveira in bantamweight.
