Jiu-jitsu legend and IBJJF Hall of Famer Bia Mesquita makes her MMA debut Saturday on the undercard of Anderson Silva vs. Chael Sonnen in Brazil, and the 33-year-old wants a fast track to the big leagues next.
Mesquita, a 10-time jiu-jitsu world champion and ADCC gold medalist, faces fellow MMA debutant Jorgina Ramos in a bantamweight matchup at Spaten Fight Night in Sao Paulo. She told MMA Fighting after an open workout session Tuesday that her goal is for a big victory in her debut to lead to a deal with UFC or any other major MMA promotion.
“I hope so,” Mesquita said, “but at the same time, it gives me butterflies in the stomach wondering if it could be too big of a step. But I think that regardless of what happens after this fight, I’m ready to face all challenges. My career in jiu-jitsu was always centered on dedication and that’s why I managed to get where I got, and I definitely won’t disappoint in the MMA world. Regardless of the challenge, if it’s the UFC or any other promotion, I’ll be ready. I’ll be ready to put on a show all the time, wherever I am. My goal is to be the best every day. To start and end my career undefeated.”
Having trained under BJJ legend Leticia Ribeiro her entire 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 this past September to train under Marcos “Parrumpinha” da Matta at American Top Team, “and having all of them in my corner Saturday makes me even more confident,” she said.
“I’m ready to show why I’m transitioning to MMA and why jiu-jitsu is so efficient,” Mesquita explained. “I started from scratch in the gym, back to being a white belt, and it was wonderful because there was no responsibility, I was there to absorb the most I could. But when the fight got booked and I really had to enter that little cage to spar specifically for a fight, then we saw I was ready and said it was time. It’s time to shine.”
Mesquita has beaten some of the all-time best in the grappling world, and even topped MMA veterans who dared to cross over into her world in recent years like former UFC champion Miesha Tate and former Invicta FC titleholder Jennifer Maia. She, however, said there’s no pressure to be a representative of her native martial art in MMA.
“I’m happy to be transferring my entire career and everything I’ve built in jiu-jitsu to MMA now,” Mesquita said. “I think that’s the mission, to open doors in the sport, specifically in jiu-jitsu, and show fans how wonderful jiu-jitsu is.”
