From a distance, a fighting career glitters with the promise of fame, fortune, and glory. But beneath that glittering surface lies a brutal truth: every punch, kick, and choke carries the risk of disaster. Take Conor McGregor, for instance. During his trilogy bout with Dustin Poirier in 2021, his leg snapped in a gruesome twist, forcing him to the sidelines. Since then, the Irishman has aimed to finish his UFC journey on his own terms. Meanwhile, even McGregor’s submission grappler teammate, Dillon Danis, faced the same fate on the mats, watching his momentum fade due to repeated injuries.

Now, fast forward to BJJ legend Bia Mesquita. She’s stepping into the Octagon tonight, ready to make her long-awaited UFC debut at UFC Rio. With a spotless 5-0 record and countless world titles under her belt, she carries the pride of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu on her shoulders. But just like many before her, Bia’s journey hasn’t been smooth. In fact, she once suffered a brutal arm break on the mats — an injury that nearly ended her career. So, let’s take a closer look at Bia’s brutal arm break.

How did Bia Mesquita break her arm?

At 34, Bia Mesquita stands as a living legend of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, a sport she has dedicated over three decades of her life to mastering. Already enshrined in the IBJJF Hall of Fame, she has fought through countless obstacles — including a career-threatening injury that could have ended her journey. That pivotal moment came at ADCC 2019, when the Brazilian was 28. She prepared to clash with top-ranked No-Gi grappler Ffion Davies in a highly anticipated rematch. Davies, representing the UK, aimed to avenge her sole defeat to Mesquita.

Then, at the Anaheim Convention Center, the battle quickly escalated into a physical chess match that turned brutally real. After Bia Mesquita attempted a triangle, Davies shifted into an armbar, forcing her to tap while wincing in pain. Observers immediately feared a catastrophic injury, and reports later confirmed that Davies had broken Mesquita’s arm, preventing her from competing in the third-place match. Although the Brazilian never issued a detailed statement about the injury, the incident quickly sparked widespread discussion across the grappling world.

Beatriz Mesquita’s BJJ career highlights

At first glance, MMA fans might see Bia Mesquita as a newcomer to the fight game. But the Brazilian star has been carving her path since the age of five, inspired by her brother. She rose quickly through the ranks, claiming the Brazilian National Junior Championship and dominating regional circuits, showing early on that she possessed both talent and relentless determination. Even as a rising star, Mesquita faced setbacks, including a knee injury that could have derailed her journey.

However, she sharpened her craft under BJJ legend Leticia Ribeiro in Rio de Janeiro. In June 2009, Ribeiro awarded her the brown belt, and by standing on the podium at the 2011 World Championship, she earned her black belt. Then, at the Pan American IBJJF Championship, she cemented her reputation as a force to be reckoned with.

Bia Mesquita also made her mark internationally, capturing the Women’s Bantamweight title at the Eddie Bravo Invitational. Her accomplishments read like a legacy in motion: she has won 24 black belt titles across the four major Gi championships, including 10 gold medals at the World Championships. Alongside her IBJJF World Championship successes, the 34-year-old Mesquita left her imprint on European and global competitions. Ultimately, she broke records at the IBJJF World Championships, securing her place in the IBJJF Hall of Fame.

Now, Bia Mesquita steps into the Octagon, bringing decades of BJJ expertise against the ‘Russian Ronda,’ Irina Alekseeva, at UFC Rio. The stage is set, and the world watches to see if the Brazilian legend can translate her grappling dominance into MMA glory. Will she rise to the challenge? Drop your predictions below.