Alex Apodaca upsets Bella Mir to earn UFC contract

Alex Apodaca secured a UFC contract after pulling off a historic upset against Bella Mir on Dana White’s Contender Series. Entering the bantamweight bout as a significant underdog, Apodaca defeated Mir via unanimous decision, with all three judges scoring the fight 29-28.

Bella Mir, the daughter of former UFC heavyweight champion Frank Mir and a highly touted prospect, entered the match as a heavy -6000 favorite. Despite her grappling background, Mir was unable to overcome Apodaca, who controlled much of the fight on her feet and successfully defended several takedown attempts.

UFC CEO Dana White admitted to being biased toward Mir due to their long-standing relationship but noted that the loss served as a “deep water” experience for the 23-year-old. Following the bout, Mir released a statement on social media expressing that the loss would not define her and that she remains committed to her career. Meanwhile, Mir’s mother, Jennifer, expressed frustration on social media, criticizing the judging and the result.