Bia Mesquita celebrates beating Mackenzie Dern. Flashsport.
Beatriz Mesquita, 25, just added another BJJ championship to her career. Last Saturday she won all of her five matches at the Rio Fall Open. In the absolute final she was pitted against No. 1-ranked Mackenzie Dern.
Dern had beaten Mesquita at ADCC 2015, in Sao Paulo. This time Mesquita picked up the pace, performed firm grips and subbed Dern from the back by using her foe’s lapels.
“It was the first time we fought in the gi,” Mesquita said after the fight. “We’ve been training together for many years, but Mackenzie was still a purple-belt; it was a long time ago. In truth, as I always said, I go into fights thinking of doing my thing, and not of what my opponent may do — I think this makes all the difference. About the submission, I think about not letting good positions slip. The important thing was progressing and not giving my opponent opportunities to escape. That was exactly what I sought to do, and it worked out.”
Next, Mesquita will attempt to retain her WPJJC title in Abu Dhabi, in an event set to begin April 10. Last year she took gold in the 62kg division by beating Bianca Basílio via knee bar.
[Based on a press release.]
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