UFC: Melissa Mullins defeated Bea Mesquita in Las Vegas

Melissa Mullins was submitted by Brazilian Bea Mesquita in her UFC return as the British fighter suffered more heartbreak in Las Vegas.

Mullins, 34, had been fighting for four months after he cried on the scales at UFC London after he narrowly made weight.

The hometown fight for Mullins was canceled when his opponent failed to make weight and it was another tough night for the bantamweight as he submitted in the first round on Saturday.

Mullins started strong, pressured Mesquite with some heavy jabs, and he caught him with a big left hand that left the Brazilian badly shaken.

It looked like Mullins would get a big win against an undefeated fighter.

Mullins, however, let the contest go to the ground and Mesquita – the world champion in Brazilian jiu-jitsu – was able to buy time to clear his head before moving himself into an armbar position, forcing Mullins to tap.

Speaking after the loss, Mullins said: “For me I had a performance that I’ve never had before. Ended up playing a woman who is the best at what she does.

“I couldn’t be happier with my camp or performance before the result. Hate this game but love to fight.”

Mullins has gone 7-3 in the UFC since debuting in 2023.

In the night’s main event, Manuel Cape ended a decade-long wait for revenge by knocking out Kyoji Horiguchi in the third round of their flyweight contest.

The Angolan-Portuguese, who lost to Horiguchi in 2017, will now hope for a title fight against Joshua Van.

“Kyoji is an amazing fighter, probably the best fighter I’ve ever fought in my life,” Cape said.

“I want to be like him and if I’m here in this position, it’s because of Kyoji.

“One thing about me, I never give up.”