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Bia Mesquita Submits Irina Alekseeva in UFC Rio Debut to Move to 6-0

The decorated BJJ champion leveraged elite grappling under American Top Team coaching to vault into early contender talks.

Overview

  • Mesquita defeated Alekseeva by rear-naked choke at 2:14 of Round 2 at Farmasi Arena in Rio de Janeiro after repeated takedowns and heavy ground-and-pound.
  • The win pushed Mesquita to 6-0 in MMA, reinforcing a résumé that includes multiple IBJJF world titles and ADCC experience.
  • Post-fight, she thanked American Top Team and coach Mike Brown and said she wants to stay active and accept quick turnarounds.
  • Outlets reported she received a $50,000 performance bonus for her debut showing.
  • Alekseeva fell to 1-3 in the UFC, and analysts cast Mesquita as a much-needed new force in a thin women’s bantamweight division.