10-Time Jiu-Jitsu World Champion Eager for Exciting UFC Debut
Bia Mesquita, a ten-time Jiu-Jitsu World Champion, is set to make her highly anticipated UFC debut in Rio de Janeiro on Saturday, November 11. The fighter, hailing from Saquarema, Brazil, will face Irina Alekseeva from Kazakhstan in the octagon.
Excitement Surrounding UFC Debut
As Bia prepares for her first fight in the UFC, she expresses a whirlwind of emotions. She feels a mix of excitement, anxiety, and joy about transitioning from Jiu-Jitsu to mixed martial arts. Bia mentioned, “I am super prepared and happy to fight at home.” She sees this debut at UFC Rio as a dream come true. Having her family and fans in attendance adds to the significance of this moment.
Personal Motivation for Transition
Bia’s move to MMA was fueled by a desire for new challenges and to rekindle the passion she felt during her early competitive days. “I was missing that adrenaline and fire,” she noted. Her career in Jiu-Jitsu included triumphs across all major organizations, but she yearned for that fresh excitement only a new sport could provide.
She also draws inspiration from fellow Brazilian athlete Alex Pereira, who recently regained his championship title. Bia sees his journey as motivational, stating, “It’s encouraging to see someone achieve greatness. It reminds me that I too can succeed in this sport.”
UFC Rio Event Details
The UFC Rio event will commence broadcasting live on Fight Pass at 5 PM (local time), with the main card kicking off around 8 PM. Spectators can enjoy the first three fights for free on UFC’s official social media platforms including Facebook and YouTube.
Main Fights to Watch
- Lightweight: Charles “do Bronx” Oliveira vs. Mateusz Gamrot
- Bantamweight: Deiveson Figueiredo vs. Montel Jackson
- Welterweight: Vicente Luque vs. Joel Álvarez
- Heavyweight: Jhonata Diniz vs. Mario Pinto
- Featherweight: Ricardo Ramos vs. Kaan Ofli
Bia Mesquita’s matchup against Irina Alekseeva will feature in the preliminary card, starting the evening’s festivities. With numerous Brazilian fighters scheduled to compete, UFC Rio promises to be an exciting event for local fans.
