BJJ legend Bia Mesquita has arrived in the UFC.
At UFC Fight Night 261, Mesquita (6-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC) emphatically made her presence known in the women’s bantamweight division as she dominated Irina Alekseeva (5-4 MMA, 1-3 UFC) en route to a second-round rear-naked choke. The bout took place Saturday at Farmasi Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Mesquita, 34, immediately sought the finish from the opening bell. Despite her 24 world titles in major black-belt competitions, Mesquita tried to show off her striking first before she got the fight to the ground. She gift-wrapped Alekseeva and landed brutal ground-and-pound that bloodied “Russian Ronda” and nearly ended the fight.
Alekseeva survived until the end of the round. One takedown and a couple transitions later in Round 2, however, the choke was locked and the tap came.
Mesquita has not seen the third round in her six-fight pro MMA career. She won the LFA women’s bantamweight title prior to her UFC signing.
Alekseeva, 35, could be on the chopping block after what was her third loss in a row.
