UFC super prospect (and historic betting favorite) Bella Mir bloodied, beaten in biggest upset in Co

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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - AUGUST 25: Alex Apodaca reacts after a victory against Bella Mir in a bantamweight fight during Dana White's Contender Series Season 10, Week 3 at Meta APEX on August 25, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Al Powers/Zuffa LLC)

UPSET!

UFC super prospect Bella Mir, daughter of former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Heavyweight championFrank Mir, suffered a massive upset loss to Alex Apodaca, dropping a unanimous decision tonight (Tues., Aug. 25, 2026) in the main event of Week 3 of Season 10 of Contender Series inside Meta Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Mir entered the fight as the biggest betting favorite in Contender Series history, reaching a staggering -6000 at DraftKings. Apodaca, meanwhile, was available as high as a +1700 underdog.

None of that mattered once the cage door closed.

Mir opened the fight by cracking Apodaca with a one-two combination followed by a knee. Apodaca immediately fired back with a sharp straight right hand.

Mir then shot for her first takedown and drove Apodaca against the fence, but Apodaca escaped. Mir later connected with a heavy hook and attempted a hip throw, but Apodaca defended again.

After eating several teep kicks, Mir finally caught one and took Apodaca down before immediately jumping on her back. However, Apodaca reversed the position and ended the opening round on top.

Apodaca stuffed Mir’s first takedown attempt of the second round and landed another clean one-two combination. When Apodaca rushed forward, Mir briefly stopped her momentum with a heavy right hook.

However, Mir began slowing down significantly as the round progressed, allowing Apodaca to take over with her striking. Apodaca repeatedly touched up the highly touted prospect and left her bloodied by the end of the round.

With the fight seemingly tied at one round apiece, Mir immediately attempted to clinch in the final frame, but Apodaca once again defended. Mir later caught another kick and attempted a single-leg takedown, but Apodaca remained upright.

A bloodied and exhausted Mir finally secured a takedown with approximately two minutes remaining. She took Apodaca’s back and hunted for a submission, but she could not find the finish she desperately needed.

All three judges scored the fight 29-28 for Apodaca, handing Mir the first loss of her professional MMA career.

Apodaca entered the fight as high as a +1500 underdog, surpassing Yuneisy Duben’s famous +900 knockout upset over Shannon Clark in 2024.

Apodaca (4-1) is riding a four-fight winning streak and will be remembered for the rest of her career as the first woman to defeat Mir.

For more Contender Series news and notes, be sure to hit up our comprehensive archive right here.