Bia Mesquita Eyes UFC Entry with LFA Title Shot After Setback Victory

Decorated Brazilian jiu-jitsu icon Bia Mesquita is looking to close one chapter and begin another as she headlines LFA 211 this Friday in Salamanca, New York, battling Sierra Dinwoodie for the vacant bantamweight title. With ten IBJJF World titles, an ADCC gold medal, and a legacy as one of grappling’s most dominant forces, Mesquita is ready to transition fully into MMA stardom—with the UFC in her sights.

Despite a stellar 3-0 start to her MMA career—each win via rear-naked choke—Mesquita's UFC dreams were momentarily stalled after her most recent bout in March. Fighting in front of UFC matchmakers just days before UFC 313, Mesquita was unable to display her elite ground game after an illegal upkick from opponent Hope Chase ended the contest via disqualification. The anticlimactic finish may have delayed her shot at the UFC, but Mesquita is choosing to view the experience as a necessary part of her evolution as a mixed martial artist.

“I need this belt, this title, to kind of end this cycle,” Mesquita said. “It’s like my internship in MMA, right? My first step, so I feel more confident when I get in the UFC.”

Now 4-0 in MMA, Mesquita’s win over Chase came at a cost. The illegal upkick caused a brutal eye injury, leaving her temporarily blinded and shaken.

“The moment her heel hit, I felt my eyeball go in,” she recalled. “Like the heel landed perfectly on the eye socket, you know?”

Fortunately, no permanent damage was done, but the ordeal reminded her of the unpredictable dangers of the sport.

Heading into her first five-round fight and a full 10-week training camp, Mesquita believes she has never been more prepared. Training alongside elite athletes like Kayla Harrison and Yana Santos at American Top Team, she’s honed every aspect of her game—both physically and mentally. Her opponent, Sierra Dinwoodie, is also 4-0 and a purple belt in BJJ, but Mesquita's elite grappling pedigree gives her a notable edge.

“I feel very prepared for whatever comes, but we’ll go to the ground eventually. We’re literally in a cage and there’s nowhere to run,” Mesquita said with a laugh.

For Mesquita, Friday night represents more than just another fight—it’s the final exam in her MMA transition. A dominant win and the LFA title may finally punch her long-awaited ticket to the UFC, bringing her full circle from jiu-jitsu phenom to MMA star.