BJJ legend Bia Mesquita hopes MMA debut leads to UFC and major promotions: ‘I’m ready for any challenge’

Jiu-jitsu legend and IBJJF Hall of Famer Bia Mesquita makes her MMA debut Saturday on the Anderson Silva vs. Chael Sonnen undercard in Brazil, and the 33-year-old is looking to move on next quickly to the major leagues.

Mesquita, a 10-time jiu-jitsu world champion and ADCC gold medalist, faces fellow MMA debutant Jorgina Ramos in a bantamweight clash at Spaten Fight Night in Sao Paulo. She told MMA Fighting after an open workout Tuesday that her goal is to score a big win in her debut in order to lead to a deal with the UFC or any other major MMA promotion.

“I hope so,” Mesquita said, “but at the same time it gives me butterflies in my stomach wondering if this might be too big a step. But I think no matter what happens after this fight, I am ready to take on any challenge My career in jiu-jitsu has always been about dedication and that is why I have managed to get to where I have arrived, and I will definitely not disappoint in the. MMA world. Whatever the challenge, whether it’s UFC or any other promotion, I’ll be ready to put on a show anytime, anywhere. My goal is to. ‘be the best every day. To start and end my career undefeated.

Having trained with BJJ legend Leticia Ribeiro throughout her career, Mesquita said Ribeiro and her husband – UFC veteran Fabricio Camoes – never really favored a potential move to MMA for her in the past, but thought she was ready now. Mesquita moved to Florida last September to train under Marcos “Parrumpinha” da Matta with American Top Team, “and having them all in my corner on Saturday makes me even more confident,” she said. -she declared.

“I’m ready to show why I’m switching to MMA and why jiu-jitsu is so effective,” Mesquita explained. “I started from scratch in the gym, became a white belt again, and it was wonderful because there was no responsibility, I was there to absorb as much as possible. But when the fight was booked and I actually had to go into that little cage to train specifically for a fight, then we saw that I was ready and said it’s time. It’s time to shine.

Mesquita has beaten some of the all-time best in the grappling world and has even dominated MMA veterans who have dared to step into his world in recent years, like former UFC champion Miesha Tate and former Invicta FC defending champion Jennifer Maia. She, however, said there was no pressure to be a representative of her native martial art in MMA.

“I’m happy to now transfer my entire career and everything I’ve built in jiu-jitsu to MMA,” Mesquita said. “I think that’s our mission: to open the doors to sports, especially jiu-jitsu, and show fans how wonderful jiu-jitsu is.”