Britain's Melissa Mullins was left heartbroken after a crushing defeat in the octagon, as she fell prey to Brazilian Bia Mesquita's lightning-quick jiu-jitsu skills. The 34-year-old bantamweight fighter's highly anticipated return to action ended in a first-round submission at UFC Vegas – a bitter pill to swallow for fans who had been eagerly awaiting her comeback.
The fight was a chance for Mullins to put the disappointment of her cancelled hometown bout behind her, where she had made weight but ultimately left without a fight. But this latest loss is just another blow to add to the emotional rollercoaster that has defined her professional career so far.
Despite being on the back foot early on, Mullins showed incredible grit and determination in the opening rounds. She unleashed a flurry of powerful strikes that left Mesquita reeling – including a vicious left hand that sent shockwaves through the Las Vegas crowd. For a moment, it seemed like Mullins was poised to pull off an unforgettable upset against one of the toughest opponents in the division.
But in a flash, the tables turned when the fight went to the ground. Mesquita – a Brazilian jiu-jitsu world champion – seized the initiative and sunk her teeth into the armbar submission that would ultimately seal Mullins' fate. The result showcased the Brazilian's mastery of grappling and left Mullins with little option but to tap out.
Mullins was gracious in defeat, praising her opponent's skills while also acknowledging her own disappointment at not being able to pull off a win on home soil. Despite the loss, she vowed to bounce back stronger than ever – a testament to her unbreakable spirit and determination to succeed in the world of mixed martial arts.
It wasn't all doom and gloom for British fans, however, as Manuel Kape delivered a thunderous knockout blow in the main event against Kyoji Horiguchi. The flyweight showdown was an instant classic – with Kape overcoming his 2017 loss to Horiguchi to set up a potential title fight against Joshua Van.