Bella Mir Opens Up After Stunning DWCS Upset
Earlier this week, Bella Mir dropped a unanimous decision loss to Alex Apodaca. She talked about her first professional defeat recently.
Bella Mir has addressed her first professional MMA loss after suffering one of the biggest upsets in Dana White’s Contender Series history. Mir entered her DWCS 89 main event against Alex Apodaca on Aug. 25 with an undefeated 4-0 record and enormous expectations.
She was reportedly as high as a -6000 favorite, while Apodaca was listed at +1200, making it the most lopsided betting matchup in Contender Series history.
Instead, Apodaca produced a composed three-round performance and earned a unanimous decision victory, with all three judges scoring the fight 29-28 in her favor. The result moved Mir to 4-1 as a professional and earned Apodaca a UFC contract.
Alex Apodaca Outworks Bella Mir
Mir entered the fight with an impressive wrestling and grappling résumé. The 23-year-old won the 2026 NCAA Division I women's wrestling championship at 145 lbs and had finished three of her first four professional MMA victories by submission. Those skills were not enough to get her past Apodaca.
The 32-year-old repeatedly defended Mir's takedown attempts and was able to keep much of the fight on the feet. Apodaca finished the bout with a 48-30 advantage in significant strikes and a 66-33 edge in total strikes. Mir completed only one of six takedown attempts, while Apodaca landed none of her own.
Mir did have 3:46 of control time compared to Apodaca's 1:57 and made a late push in the third round. She was unable to find the submission she needed, however, and Apodaca remained composed until the final bell.
Dana White Points to Alex Apodaca's Experience
UFC CEO Dana White had been closely involved in Mir's development and admitted that he was personally invested in her success.
After the fight, White said Mir lacked experience in what he described as "deep water," referring to the later stages of a competitive fight. Mir had entered the bout with only four professional MMA fights, while Apodaca had already competed in five professional bouts and had considerably more experience going the distance.
White also praised Mir for continuing to compete despite struggling during the fight. He viewed the loss as a learning experience rather than an indication that her career was over.
The defeat also meant that Mir did not receive the UFC contract awarded to Apodaca after the fight. White has suggested that a return to the Contender Series could remain an option depending on what Mir and her father, former UFC heavyweight champion Frank Mir, decide to do next.
Bella Mir Responds to Her First Loss
Mir has now addressed the setback publicly. In a statement shared on social media, Mir acknowledged that losing is part of the learning process and said she intends to use the experience to become a better athlete.
"I've lost so many times. Big or small, each loss carries me into a different mindset and learning experience to be a better athlete. I have overcome every single obstacle into my life and I will overcome this one."
Mir also credited Apodaca for taking the fight and coming away with the victory, while thanking the people who supported her throughout the experience.
The response suggests that Mir is treating the defeat as a setback rather than the end of her ambitions.
What Comes Next for Bella Mir?
Mir's immediate future remains unclear, but the loss does not erase what she had accomplished before stepping into the Contender Series cage. She is only 23 years old, already holds an NCAA Division I national championship and entered the fight with four professional victories.
Her three submission wins also demonstrated why she was regarded as one of the more highly touted prospects on the Contender Series. Apodaca, meanwhile, secured her UFC contract with the biggest upset in Contender Series history and improved her professional record to 5-1.
For Mir, the next stage will be about turning the first loss of her career into experience. Dana White has already pointed to the value of competing through difficult moments, and Mir's own response indicates that she intends to learn from the defeat.
The hype surrounding her may have taken a hit on Aug. 25, but at 23, Mir still has considerable time to build the career she believes she is capable of having.
