Bella Mir Suffers Historic Upset On Contender Series

Bella Mir's UFC arrival will have to wait. Alex Apodaca handed the heavily favored prospect her first career loss Tuesday night at UFC APEX, winning a unanimous decision in what became the largest betting upset in Contender Series history, as MMA Fighting first reported.

Mir entered as a -4000 favorite at some outlets, with Apodaca available as high as +1700, per MMA Mania. The daughter of former UFC heavyweight champion Frank Mir had been expected to breeze into the promotion, but Apodaca stuffed takedowns and landed clean combinations over three rounds to take 29-28 scores on all three cards.

How Apodaca Pulled Off The Upset

Mir opened strong with power punches and connected early with a one-two combination and knee. Apodaca fired back with a sharp right hand and proceeded to defend Mir's wrestling attempts. The NCAA national champion wrestler managed a late first-round takedown and took the back, but Apodaca reversed position before the bell.

The second round shifted momentum. Mir's pace dropped and Apodaca took over on the feet, tagging the bloodied prospect with jabs and body kicks. Mir largely abandoned her grappling. By the third frame she was exhausted. She secured a late takedown and took the back again, hunting a finish, but could not lock anything in. "I just want to be in those talks of best athletes of all time," Mir had told MMA Fighting before the bout.

Apodaca now owns a four-fight winning streak and earned a UFC contract. Mir falls to 4-1. The upset surpasses Yuneisy Duben's knockout of Shannon Clark in 2024, when Duben closed at +900.

Four other fighters earned contracts on the card. Guilherme Uriel submitted Mario Piazzon in 50 seconds with a standing guillotine. Sean Clancy Jr. stopped Gary Balletto in the second round. Ronald Humphrey choked out Alexis Miranda in the first. Nick Galanti knocked out Carlos Petruzzella in 35 seconds. Week 4 of Contender Series airs next Tuesday.

Reported via:

• MMA Fighting — DWCS Season 10, Week 3 results: Bella Mir suffers biggest upset loss in Contender Series history
• MMA Mania — UFC super prospect (and historic betting favorite) Bella Mir bloodied, beaten in biggest upset in Contender Series history