Legendary jiu-jitsu champion Bia Mesquita won her fourth pro MMA fight at LFA 203 via disqualification after opponent Hope Chase landed an illegal upkick, maintaining her undefeated record and expressing readiness for a potential UFC contract or a shot at the LFA bantamweight title.
Legendary jiu-jitsu champion Bia Mesquita aimed to dazzle the UFC brass during UFC 313 fight week in Las Vegas. She sought her fourth pro MMA win, but things didn’t quite go as planned.
Mesquita snagged a victory at LFA 203, held Thursday night at Palms Casino Resort. However, it was due to disqualification after Hope Chase delivered an illegal upkick in their bantamweight bout’s second round. Unfortunate twist, right?
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After the fight, Mesquita shared her thoughts with MMA Fighting’s José Youngs. She felt Chase intentionally committed the foul. “I always look for the tap,” she said, “but I think that was her way out without tapping.”
Mesquita dominated the first round and was poised for another submission in the second. Then—bam! The illegal strike happened. “The rules meeting was extremely clear about that,” she added. A win’s a win, though not in the way she wanted.
Since transitioning to MMA in 2024, Mesquita has racked up a 4-0 record. Her first three victories? All submissions via rear-naked choke. She was close again before the disqualification drama unfolded.
Despite this hiccup, her ambitions remain unchanged: secure a UFC contract or vie for the LFA belt next. “It was a great opportunity,” Mesquita remarked about performing before UFC matchmakers.
She expressed some frustration, yearning for a submission victory with all eyes on her. But she’s confident they saw her readiness and determination to finish fights. Whether it’s a call from the UFC or fighting for the bantamweight title, Mesquita is ready for whatever comes next.