Via Mesquita completely dismantled “Russian Ronda” in her Octagon debut. Now she wants to try the real deal.
After kicking off her MMA career with five consecutive finishes in regional competitions, the multiple-time IBJJF black belt saw her stock rise significantly at UFC Rio, scoring a dominant second-round submission of Irina Alekseeva.
After the high-profile win, Mesquita had nothing but positive things to say about the former UFC bantamweight champion. And with rumors circulating that the real Ronda Rousey might be returning to the fight game, Mesquita couldn’t help but take the shot.
“I don’t know who called her the Russian Ronda Rousey, but if that’s what she says, that’s what she believes,” Mesquita said of Alexeeva, who is nicknamed “Russian Ronda.” “I’m a huge fan of Ronda. Certainly, Ronda made history in MMA and opened a lot of doors, not just for me, but for everyone who comes out. I have so much respect for all of her history and everything she’s done for women in MMA today.”
“I really hope she comes back. Everyone really enjoys her fights. It would be great, an armbar battle, even though I know I haven’t gotten an armbar yet. But maybe if I fight her, who knows if that’s coming.”
Is Ronda Rousey preparing for her return at the UFC’s White House event?
Earlier this month, Rousey stole the headlines when she revealed on Instagram that she had resumed MMA training after years off. It immediately sparked rumors that the martial arts icon was eyeing a possible return to fighting games.
Of course, we’ve all seen these rumors before, but they’re often debunked by UFC CEO Dana White long before they gain any real attention.
But with UFC’s historic White House fight card seemingly attracting all the big names in the industry, it’s no wonder Rousey is eager to take advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
As for Mesquita, she’s certainly off to a strong start with a 6-0 record and 100% completion rate, but there’s still a ways to go before the Brazilian bombshell becomes a viable challenger for Rousey’s potential return.