Bia Mesquita, recognized by Guinness for her numerous IBJJF World Championship gold medals, is now focused on making her mark in MMA. This ten-time IBJJF champion and ADCC gold medalist has quickly started her MMA career with three wins in six months, all by rear-naked choke, making her a top prospect this year.
Preparing to face Hope Chase in a bantamweight match at LFA 203 in Las Vegas, Mesquita hopes another victory will earn her a UFC contract.
“I’m fighting in Vegas during a huge UFC week,” Mesquita mentioned, highlighting the opportunity with UFC Invitational, Power Slap, and UFC 313 happening around the same time. She believes this is a great chance to network and potentially secure a UFC contract, stating she is ready to sign immediately if called.
If a UFC offer doesn’t come this week, Mesquita plans to remain active, gain more wins, and possibly the LFA bantamweight title, to convince Dana White and UFC decision-makers of her potential.
“The boss will decide, and I’ll be ready to go wherever,” Mesquita joked about joining the UFC. “I’m determined to make an impact. This is another step towards my goal, and I truly believe I’ll sign with the UFC this year, no matter how long it takes.”
Mesquita considered fighting at 125 pounds but is concerned about the impact on her performance. Grappling at a high level requires strength, and she worries about losing power by cutting extra weight. She also pointed out that the women’s bantamweight division, while top-heavy, might offer a quicker path to the top.
“Is it worth cutting more weight just to be another fighter in a large division?” Mesquita questioned, contrasting the crowded 125-pound division with the shallower 135-pound category. “While the top 10 at 135 is strong, the route to the top might be shorter. I’ll be stronger and fitter at 135. Even making 135 is tough; imagine 125. I believe I can reach the UFC top 10 within two years in this division.”
Julianna Peña currently holds the UFC bantamweight title, with Kayla Harrison likely next in line. Mesquita trains with Harrison at American Top Team in Florida, appreciating the support from the Olympic and PFL champion.
“Kayla is exceptional,” Mesquita said. “We support each other greatly. Her judo skills are incredible. I feel the same about my ground game. Being surrounded by such driven people is invaluable, pushing us all towards becoming champions.”
Mesquita’s move to American Top Team marked a fresh start in MMA. Sparring and facing punches ignited a new passion compared to her jiu-jitsu career. She credits coach Marcos Parrumpa for her rapid development in all aspects of MMA, including grappling.
“My jiu-jitsu has evolved significantly since my ADCC win in 2017,” Mesquita noted. “MMA starts standing, so I need to take opponents down to use my jiu-jitsu effectively. The wrestling I train now is focused on MMA, creating opportunities for ground and pound and submissions. It’s a completely different approach.”
“Maintaining my high-level jiu-jitsu is crucial,” she added. “It’s my foundation. I’ll always aim to fight like Demian Maia – takedown and submit. At 33, I need to maximize my strengths, which is jiu-jitsu.”
Mesquita considered transitioning to MMA earlier but found it hard to leave jiu-jitsu after nearly 30 years. She tested the waters with grappling matches against MMA veterans like Miesha Tate and Jennifer Maia, realizing the challenge of finding opponents willing to face her jiu-jitsu skills in MMA.
“As a fighter, you must fight,” Mesquita stated about the difficulty finding opponents. “To be a champion, you face whoever is presented. That’s how I built my jiu-jitsu career, and I’ll continue that in MMA. To be a great MMA champion, I must be ready for anyone.”
Her brief but intense MMA journey has taught Mesquita valuable lessons about herself and the different perception of losses compared to jiu-jitsu. Undefeated in LFA, each MMA win feels distinct from her numerous jiu-jitsu victories.
“In jiu-jitsu, a loss is quickly forgotten with another competition soon after,” Mesquita explained. “MMA losses are more permanent on your record. Each MMA fight feels like a step closer to competing with the best and becoming champion. I’m here to stand out.”
“The bantamweight division is still developing,” she concluded. “Champions change frequently, and I see a significant opportunity with my background and experience. I’ve been an athlete my whole life, and I’m here to make a statement, become champion, and be among the elite.”
