“I don’t think women belong in the UFC,” Dana White famously said in 2011, dismissing the idea of women competing in the UFC. Yet, decades later, Kayla Harrison dominates as the only American champion in Dana White’s multi-billion-dollar UFC, carrying the nation’s pride in a sport once reserved for men. Meanwhile, while Brazilian, Georgian, and Russian fighters have claimed other divisions, Harrison stands unshaken, a beacon of American excellence. Harrison, a former judoka and former PFL champion, has proven herself a relentless force wherever she steps into the cage.

The Florida standout boasts a 19-1 record, forged through skill, grit, and unwavering determination. At 34, she took a bold leap by signing with the UFC—an unexpected move that instantly shook up the division. Armed with a formidable resume, Kayla Harrison’s two commanding UFC victories carved a clear path to a title shot against Julianna Peña, where the former Olympian seized the moment, asserting her dominance over the division. Harrison’s meteoric rise has done more than mark a personal triumph; it has ignited a fire, inspiring a new generation of women to break barriers.

Rising UFC Rio star looks to Kayla Harrison as a guiding force

The UFC is returning to Rio for a long-awaited fight night after decades away. While it might not be a PPV event, the card still holds immense significance for local and regional fighters who are eager to etch their names on the UFC roster. Amid a male-dominated lineup, UFC women’s bantamweight contender and BJJ legend Beatriz Mesquita emerges as one of the Brazilian fighters determined to make her mark.

Ahead of her UFC debut, ‘Bia’ appeared on the AG Fight YouTube channel and spoke about the inspiration she draws from her training partner, Kayla Harrison: “I think that girl became an aspiration after we started training together, mainly because she’s always striving for the best version of herself. Yeah, regardless of her being an Olympic champion, the PFL champion, the current FC champion, I see her every day in the gym, always dedicating herself right, so that, of course, becomes an inspiration.”

Beatriz Mesquita has lived and trained in Florida since 2023, joining the Florida-based American Top Team, the powerhouse gym that has produced fighters like Alexandre Pantoja, Dustin Poirier, and Arman Tsarukyan. Much like Kayla Harrison, Mesquita emerged from a different discipline before making her transition to MMA. “And ever since I joined, that we’ve had this partnership, this really cool exchange, she’s helping me, right, with all her experience, and I’m helping her in her ground games, and we have this very positive exchange of energy,” Beatriz explained.

Before stepping into the MMA cage, Beatriz had already carved out a stellar career in grappling. The Brazilian star claimed 24 titles at black belt level across four major GI championships and holds the record for the most IBJJF World Championship titles at black belt level. She also boasts 10 gold medals at the World Championship level as of 2021 and eight gold medals at the Pan American level. Beyond that, Beatriz Mesquita repeatedly struck gold at the European and Brazilian National Championships, solidifying her reputation as one of the most decorated BJJ athletes leaping MMA.

Beatriz Mesquita talks about managing pressure ahead of her debut

Beatriz Mesquita’s MMA career may be short, but it has already left a meaningful mark, much like her grappling journey. Ahead of her UFC debut, she carries just five professional fights, yet the Brazilian standout has already proven her mettle in the LFA, where she strung together four consecutive victories that ultimately earned her a ticket to the UFC. Despite this success, her limited experience has sparked questions among fans and critics alike: can ‘Bia’ thrive against the elite competition of the UFC with such a brief MMA résumé?

By comparison, Kayla Harrison entered the UFC with more than 15 fights outside the promotion, giving her a wealth of in-ring experience. The scrutiny raises concerns about whether Beatriz Mesquita has developed the mental toughness required to navigate high-stakes MMA, including media obligations and the relentless pressures that come with the spotlight. Still, ‘Bia’ exudes confidence in her own readiness.

Speaking about her mindset, Beatriz Mesquita revealed, “I already bring some of that experience from the Jiu-Jitsu world. Being one of the top fighters in the world is really in your head. I brought some of that mindset here. There was a lot of media coverage and focus during competition time, so that already gave me some preparation—especially in the LFA. During fights in the LFA, they really do a very similar preparation: the media, the photos, everything. That kind of prepared me.”

With her UFC debut looming on the horizon, all eyes will be on the Brazilian standout as she steps into the Octagon. Can she topple the “Russian Ronda,” Irina Alekseeva, and make an explosive entrance into MMA’s biggest stage? Drop your prediction below.