UFC Fight Night 261 – Bia Mesquita vs Irina Alekseeva

The fight between Bia Mesquita and Irina Alekseeva is scheduled for October 11, 2025, at Farmasi Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, as part of UFC Fight Night 261, also known as UFC on ESPN+ 119. Their matchup is set to take place on the preliminary card, contributing to a major event that marks the UFC’s return to Rio. The Brazilian crowd is expected to be loud and supportive, especially for Mesquita, who will be fighting in her home country. The atmosphere is anticipated to be intense, with fans eager to see how the debuting Brazilian grappling star performs on one of the sport’s biggest stages.

Both fighters are entering the contest healthy, with no reports of injuries or substitutions ahead of the bout. Bia Mesquita has completed her training camp without setbacks as she prepares for her official UFC debut after a decorated career in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and a brief run in LFA. Irina Alekseeva, meanwhile, has remained active in training and successfully made weight, with no last-minute issues reported. This ensures that the matchup will proceed as originally scheduled, with both competitors fully prepared and cleared to fight.

In terms of tactics, Mesquita’s corner is expected to focus heavily on bringing the fight to the ground. Her elite-level jiu-jitsu credentials make her one of the most dangerous submission specialists in women’s MMA, and her strategy will likely revolve around early takedowns, positional control, and forcing Alekseeva into grappling exchanges. Alekseeva, known for her judo background and physical strength, will try to counter this by using clinch control and strong defensive positioning to keep the fight standing. Her coaches are likely emphasizing striking volume and the need to punish Bia Mesquita on entry attempts, hoping to tire her out and disrupt her ground setups.

In the media buildup to the fight, most headlines have centered on Mesquita’s transition from jiu-jitsu champion to UFC newcomer. Reporters have described her debut as one of the night’s most intriguing storylines, with many predicting a successful start to her UFC journey. Alekseeva has been portrayed as the more experienced mixed martial artist but faces pressure after inconsistent results in her earlier UFC bouts. The press has also highlighted that Alekseeva’s path to victory depends on surviving Mesquita’s grappling-heavy approach and forcing extended striking exchanges. Betting odds and pre-fight commentary have generally leaned toward Mesquita as the favorite.

Studio analysts have echoed similar opinions in their pre-fight discussions. Most commentators believe Mesquita’s submission expertise gives her a clear edge, particularly if she can close distance and dictate where the fight takes place. They note that Alekseeva’s best chance lies in maintaining composure, defending early takedowns, and using her strength to keep the fight upright. Analysts also acknowledge that Mesquita’s limited MMA experience could leave openings in striking and transitions, areas where Alekseeva might capitalize. Overall, the consensus heading into the fight is that Mesquita’s grappling pedigree and control on the ground should be enough to secure a debut victory in front of her home crowd in Rio de Janeiro.