Beatriz “Bia” Mesquita made an unforgettable first impression inside the octagon at UFC Rio on October 11, submitting Irina Alekseeva in the second round to cap off a flawless promotional debut.
The Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu legend showcased exactly why she’s considered one of the most accomplished grapplers of her generation – and she earned herself a “performance of the night” bonus in the process.
Mesquita entered the bout with a perfect 5-0 record on the regional circuit, but this was her first true test under the UFC banner.
Many expected her world-class grappling to shine, yet few anticipated just how dominant she would be.
After a brief feeling-out period early in the first round, Mesquita quickly imposed her will.
She took Alekseeva down, secured mount, and unleashed relentless ground-and-pound that kept her opponent in constant survival mode.
The referee appeared close to stepping in several times as Mesquita mixed strikes with near-submission attempts, completely dictating the pace of the fight.
When the second round began, it was clear Alekseeva had no answers for Mesquita’s pressure.
Another takedown led to more punishment on the ground before Alekseeva gave up her back — and Mesquita capitalized instantly, sinking in a tight Rear Naked Choke to force the tap.
It was a statement victory for Mesquita, who now sits at 6-0 as a professional & has officially announced herself as a serious threat in the women’s bantamweight division.
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