ClutchPoints isn’t affiliated with, endorsed by, or in any way connected to any sportsbook. Gambling isn’t offered on this website in any form.
It is time for yet one more betting prediction and pick as we proceed our coverage of UFC Rio with this next Prelim within the Women’s Bantamweight (135) Division. Brazil’s Beatriz Mesquita will make her UFC debut against Russia’s Irina Alekseeva in what ought to be a fun scrap. Take a look at our UFC odds series for the Mesquita-Alekseeva prediction and pick.
Beatriz Mesquita (5-0) will make her promotional debut just five fights into her skilled profession. Since 2024, she’s gone an ideal 4-0 under LFA and most recently won a title belt. She’s currently ranked No. 31 within the North American women’s pound-for-pound rankings, debuting here as the huge betting favorite. Mesquita stands 5-foot-4 with a 66-inch reach.
Irina Alekseeva (5-3) has gone 1-2 since joining the UFC in 2023. After winning her debut in convincing fashion, she’s dropped back-to-back bouts against Melissa Mullins and Klaudia Sygula. Now she’ll need to enhance her game and get back within the win column because the underdog here. Alekseeva stands 5-foot-8 with a 67-inch reach.
Listed here are the UFC Rio Odds, courtesy of DraftKings.
UFC Rio odds: Beatriz Mesquita-Irina Alekseeva odds
Beatriz Mesquita: -535
Irina Alekseeva: +400
Over 1.5 rounds: -154
Under 1.5 rounds: +120
*Watch sports LIVE with fuboTV (Get Access | Save $30)*
Why Beatriz Mesquita will win
- Last Fight: (W) Sierra Dinwoodie – TKO (punches, R2)
- Last 5: 5-0
- Finishes: 1 KO/TKO, 3 SUB
Beatriz Mesquita can be making her long-awaited UFC debut following an ideal 4-0 run in LFA that saw her finish three fights and gain a championship belt. While she’s fresh into her MMA profession, Mesquita is a high-level Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt that has been competing at the highest of ADCC since 2011. She’s terrifying to cope with on the bottom and joins a brand new crop of submission specialists entering the UFC out of Brazil.
She’s been in a position to translate her jiu jitsu within the Gi to MMA very fluidly, already notching three wins by rear naked choke. She’ll have a plethora of submissions to work with on this fight, and he or she can be confident knowing she’s the higher grappler on this matchup. Still, Alekseeva can be known for her grappling, so Mesquita might want to earn respect early with offense on the feet.
Still, it’s only a matter of time before Mesquita will land the takedown and start chasing a finish. She’s well-known in Brazil as considered one of the highest BJJ talents for quite a while, so she should get a ton of support from the house crowd as she chases the finish.
Why Irina Alekseeva will win
- Last Fight: (L) Klaudia Sygula – U DEC
- Last 5: 2-3
- Finishes: 1 KO/TKO, 2 SUB
After making a ton of noise following her UFC debut win over Stephanie Egger, Irina Alekseeva has didn’t improve in her two subsequent appearances. She’s been controlled within the striking over her last two bouts, oftentimes falling behind early and failing to catch up within the later rounds. She can have a slight striking advantage over Mesquita during this fight, nevertheless it’s the constant takedowns she’ll need to worry about come this Saturday.
Alekseeva owns two wins by submission in her own right, nevertheless it’s doubtful she’s ever grappled against someone with the extent of jiu jitsu Mesquita possesses. Still, Alekseeva does an incredible job of forcing her opponents to a unclean, scrappy fight, so she’ll be seeking to do the identical against the debuting opponent. Despite being a large underdog, Alekseeva remains to be a stern step-up in competition from what Mesquita is often used to.
To win this fight, Alekseeva may have to stuff the takedowns with authority while keeping her opponent on the feet. From there, she should look to land elbows and back her opponent up against the fence. The more chaotic she will create the exchanges, the more she’ll have a probability to land a lopping punch and sit her opponent down.
Final Beatriz Mesquita-Irina Alekseeva prediction & pick
While Beatriz Mesquita comes into this bout because the heavy betting favorite, it’s price noting that it’s still her debut fight and Irina Alekseeva can be a major step-up in competition for her. Nevertheless, her experience as a top-level elite grappler should carry her throughout this debut bout.
All in all, Alekseeva really only has a probability here if she’s in a position to stuff the takedowns and force her opponent to a wild scrap. Otherwise, if Mesquita is in a position to land consistent takedowns, it’ll only be a matter of time before she’s in a position to discover a submission and lock it in.
For our final betting prediction, let’s roll with Beatriz Mesquita to win this fight, and he or she does so within the opening round.
Final Beatriz Mesquita-Irina Alekseeva Prediction & Pick: Beatriz Mesquita (-535); UNDER 1.5 Rounds (+120)
The content of this text is for entertainment and academic purposes only, and ClutchPoints makes no warranty to the accuracy of the knowledge given or consequence of any sporting event. Gambling isn’t offered on this website, and all betting content is meant for audiences ages 21+. All picks and predictions are based on each individual author’s opinion, and do not express that of ClutchPoints. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.