Bia Mesquita signs with the UFC makes debut UFC Rio de Janeiro

Beatriz “Bia” Mesquita has taken another monumental step in her combat sports journey by officially signing with the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Her Octagon debut is set for October 11, 2025, at UFC Fight Night 261 in Rio de Janeiro, where she’ll face off against Irina Alekseeva.

Her résumé in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu reads like a legend’s highlight reel: she’s a 10-time IBJJF world champion, holds 24 black‑belt titles across Gi majors, has multiple Pan‑American, European, and Brazilian championships, and claimed the ADCC gold in 2017 (plus a No‑Gi world title collection). This remarkable consistency culminated in her being recognized by the IBJJF Hall of Fame, and earning a place in the Guinness World Records for most IBJJF world‑championship gold

Her foray into MMA began in mid‑2024—and it’s been just as dominant. Mesquita debuted on June 15, 2024, submitting Jorgina Ramos in the first round; she followed it up with rear‑naked choke wins over Shannel Butler and Fernanda Araujo, both finishes happening in LFA events. In March 2025, she notched her fourth win—by disqualification—when Hope Chase delivered an illegal upkick that forced a stoppage. Finally, in June 2025, Mesquita captured the LFA Women’s Bantamweight Championship, finishing Sierra Dinwoodie via second‑round TKO, improving her undefeated MMA record to 5‑0.

Fans of Cris Cyborg are familiar with Bia Mesquita as she was once a guest instructor at a Cris Cyborg PinkBelt fitness women’s empowerment camp.  Cyborg had this too say about Bia signing with the ufc, “She is such a talented BJJ fighter and is growing with each performance inside the cage, I am excited to see her in the Ultimate Fighting Championships.”