Venue: UFC APEX — Las Vegas, Nevada
Broadcast: ESPN+ (Prelims & Main Card)
A fascinating women’s bantamweight matchup hits UFC Vegas 119 as legendary Brazilian jiu‑jitsu world champion Bia Mesquita faces rising British prospect Melissa Mullins. This is a pure stylistic clash: Mesquita’s world‑class grappling versus Mullins’ sharp, disciplined striking and improving defensive wrestling. The winner positions herself for a significant step up in the division.
VENUE DETAILS — UFC APEX
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
Cage Size: 25-foot Octagon
Impact:
Smaller cage favors grapplers and clinch fighters
Mesquita benefits from shorter distances to initiate takedowns
Mullins must rely on footwork and angles to avoid being trapped
INJURY REPORT & CAMP NOTES
Bia Mesquita
No reported injuries
Training at Atos Jiu‑Jitsu / RVCA Gym
Camp focus: wrestling entries, cage takedowns, and top‑pressure transitions
Coaches emphasize early grappling to avoid extended striking exchanges
Melissa Mullins
No reported injuries
Training at GB Top Team (UK) with U.S. cross‑training
Camp focus: takedown defense, lateral movement, and counter‑striking
Emphasis on keeping the fight standing and maintaining range
FIGHTER BREAKDOWN & MATCHUP ANALYSIS
Bia Mesquita
Record: 3–1 (MMA) Style: Elite BJJ, pressure grappler Strengths:
One of the greatest female grapplers of all time
Exceptional back‑takes and armbar setups
Strong top control
Excellent positional awareness
Weaknesses:
Striking still developing
Limited experience in extended stand‑up exchanges
Can struggle to secure takedowns against strong wrestlers
Recent Form
2–1 in UFC
One submission win, one decision win, one competitive loss
Continues to improve wrestling entries and MMA transitions
Path to Victory
Close distance early
Force clinch and takedown attempts
Dominate with top control and submission threats
Melissa Mullins
Record: 6–0** Style: Technical striker, disciplined footwork Strengths:
Clean, accurate boxing
Strong defensive wrestling
Good cardio and pacing
Smart shot selection
Weaknesses:
Limited finishing power
Can be controlled by elite grapplers
Sometimes hesitant to engage
Recent Form
2–0 in UFC
Both wins via decision
Showing steady improvement in takedown defense and clinch escapes
Path to Victory
Keep fight standing
Use footwork to avoid Mesquita’s clinch entries
Win rounds with volume and clean counters
FIGHT HISTORY & CONTEXT
First meeting between the two
Mesquita is the more decorated grappler
Mullins is the more polished striker
Stylistically: elite grappler vs. technical striker
Winner likely moves toward a top‑15 matchup
BETTING TRENDS
Bia Mesquita Trends
7 of last 10 grappling/MMA wins by submission
3–1 as a favorite
UFC fights tend to go long unless she secures early takedowns
Melissa Mullins Trends
5 of 6 wins by decision
2–0 in UFC, both as an underdog
Has never been finished
MATCHUP EDGE SUMMARY
| Category | Edge |
| Striking Technique | Mullins |
| Striking Power | Even |
| Grappling | Mesquita |
| Wrestling (Offense) | Mesquita |
| Wrestling (Defense) | Mullins |
| Cardio | Mullins |
| Fight IQ | Even |
| Finishing Ability | Mesquita |
FIGHT ODDS
Bia Mesquita – 600
Melissa Mullins + 450
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, June 19, 2026
