Irina Alekseeva Record: 5-4-0

UFC arrival and a statement debut

Alekseeva announced herself with one of the more memorable debuts in the division. In April 2023 she submitted the experienced 8–3 Stephanie Egger with a first-round kneebar, finishing the Swiss judoka in just over two minutes and celebrating with a swagger that lived up to her nickname. It was the kind of grappling-heavy finish her resume always promised.

Navigating a tough UFC stretch

The level of competition rose sharply from there, and Alekseeva's UFC run grew difficult. In October 2023 she dropped a unanimous decision to the undefeated 5–0 Melissa Mullins. After a layoff she returned in June 2025 and lost another unanimous decision to Klaudia Syguła, then was submitted by the unbeaten 5–0 Beatriz Mesquita via second-round rear-naked choke that October. The skid left her at 5–4 as a pro, but her body of work against rising prospects underscored the depth she still faced in a stacked division.

Fighting style

Alekseeva is a grappler first, with two of her five wins by submission and a 60% finish rate built on her judo and Sambo base. Her armbar and kneebar finishes show a hunter's instinct on the mat, where her throws and control set up quick submissions. The challenges have come when fights stay standing or when stronger wrestlers neutralize her grappling: three of her four losses are decisions in which opponents kept the action where they wanted it. At her best, she is a finisher who can end a fight in a flash; the next step is imposing that game more consistently against elite competition.

Career highlights

• Decorated grappling pedigree — a Sambo world champion and judo black belt before turning pro, anchoring her submission game.
• Statement UFC debut — submitted 8–3 Stephanie Egger by first-round kneebar in 2023.
• Bellator springboard — beat Stéphanie Page by decision at Bellator 269 to help earn her UFC contract.