Alexia Thainara

Alexia Thainara, known by the nickname "Burguesinha," is a Brazilian competitor in the UFC's women's strawweight division.

Thainara's path into the sport began not in a gym but through a school social project that introduced her to capoeira and soccer; it was through that program that she first encountered mixed martial arts. She started capoeira as a child and picked up jiu-jitsu as a teenager, initially keeping the sport secret from a mother who disapproved. To help support her family while she trained, Thainara worked construction alongside her father, and she went on to earn a degree in Physical Education. She trains out of the Ribas Family academy in Brazil under Master Marcelo Ribas, working alongside Amanda Ribas and a deep roster of other elite female fighters.

A black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Thainara built a championship resume on Brazil's regional circuit before reaching the sport's biggest stage, collecting titles across several regional promotions. She earned her UFC contract with a standout showing on Dana White's Contender Series, defeating Rose Conceicao by unanimous decision.

Inside the cage, Thainara is a submission-first grappler who looks to close distance, secure top position, and finish fights on the mat rather than lean on volume striking. Her rear-naked choke and armbar have both proven to be reliable finishing tools, a direct reflection of the technical foundation built at Ribas Family.

Thainara's UFC debut came on short notice, where she stepped in against veteran Molly McCann and finished her with a first-round rear-naked choke, a performance that earned her a Performance of the Night bonus. She has also shared the Octagon with Loma Lookboonmee, a well-regarded name in the division, a bout that underscored her rapid rise in competition level.

Beyond the finishes, Thainara has become known for the joy she brings to her craft, colorful braids, an easy smile, and a simple outlook she has voiced often: if you're breathing, be thankful. That blend of grounded humility and grappling danger has come to define her identity as a fighter.