Bia Mesquita, a decorated jiu-jitsu champion, aims to secure the LFA bantamweight title against Sierra Dinwoodie, hoping it will pave her way to the UFC, following a controversial win due to an illegal strike in her previous fight.
Bia Mesquita has etched her name in jiu-jitsu history with ten IBJJF world championships, a gold medal in ADCC, and countless other grappling titles. Now, she’s eyeing a spot in the UFC, hoping to make it happen this Friday in Salamanca, N.Y.
Facing Sierra Dinwoodie for the vacant LFA bantamweight title at LFA 211, Mesquita is almost a year into her pro MMA career. Her previous fight in March, which ended in a DQ, was supposed to either secure her an LFA belt shot or a direct UFC call.
The jiu-jitsu ace, 3-0 with three rear-naked chokes, fought Hope Chase just before UFC 313 in Vegas. Unfortunately, an illegal upkick from Chase stopped the fight, leaving Mesquita unable to showcase her grappling prowess. Yet, she remains optimistic.
“I need this belt to close this chapter,” Mesquita shared. “It’s like my MMA internship. My first step to feeling more confident in the UFC. Training for five rounds has been a game-changer.”
Despite the unexpected fight ending, Mesquita believes it all happened for a reason. “Winning this belt will make me more deserving of a UFC contract. What’s a three-month delay? I’m ready.”
That night, Mesquita improved to 4-0, though the DQ victory felt incomplete without a submission. She left the cage worried about her eye after the hit.
“When her heel landed, I felt my eyeball go in,” she recalled. “I couldn’t open it, felt desperate. Thankfully, nothing too serious. The bruises took weeks to heal, but my eye’s fine now.”
Dinwoodie, her opponent, is a purple belt with two MMA finishes. Both are 4-0, but Mesquita feels her grappling career gives her an edge, especially training with stars like Kayla Harrison.
“I’m ready for anything,” Mesquita laughed. “We’re in a cage, nowhere to run. I’ve trained for every scenario. I don’t need to rush a takedown. My goal is to submit her, but I’m patient.”