LAS VEGAS — August 25, 2026 — Alex Apodaca pulled off one of many largest upsets in Dana White’s Contender Collection historical past Tuesday night time, defeating extremely touted prospect Bella Mir by unanimous resolution within the girls’s bantamweight fundamental occasion on the Meta Apex.
HUNGRY DOGS FIGHT HARDER 🗣️
Alex Apodaca earns the UD win for the BIGGEST UPSET EVER on #DWCS!
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— UFC on Paramount+ (@UFConParamount) August 26, 2026
All three judges scored the combat 29-28 for Apodaca, who steadily took management after Mir threatened early along with her wrestling and grappling. The victory improved Apodaca to 4-1 as an expert and earned her a UFC contract from Dana White.
The end result was notably beautiful given the expectations surrounding Mir. The 23-year-old entered the bout undefeated at 4-0 and was extensively thought to be one of many sport’s most promising prospects. The daughter of former UFC heavyweight champion Frank Mir, she had additionally received the 2026 NCAA girls’s wrestling championship at 145 kilos.
Mir appeared to have the benefit early, utilizing her wrestling credentials to search for takedowns and grappling exchanges. However Apodaca repeatedly defended Mir’s makes an attempt and located success along with her putting, together with entrance kicks to the physique and combos that progressively compelled Mir right into a extra defensive combat.
By the second spherical, Apodaca had begun to ascertain herself because the simpler striker. Mir was visibly bloodied across the nostril, whereas Apodaca continued urgent ahead and stuffing takedown makes an attempt. Official statistics confirmed Apodaca outlanded Mir 48-30 in important strikes and 66-33 in complete strikes.
Mir rallied late, together with a takedown and submission try within the third spherical, however she couldn’t produce the end she wanted. When the ultimate bell sounded, Apodaca had carried out sufficient to safe the choice and one of the vital consequential victories of her profession.
The magnitude of the upset was mirrored within the betting line. Mir had been listed as an unlimited favourite, with some books placing her odds as excessive as -6000, whereas Apodaca entered as an enormous underdog.
As an alternative of Mir starting her UFC profession with a victory and a contract, it was Apodaca who left Las Vegas with a UFC deal and a spot within the promotion.
For Apodaca, the efficiency was the end result of a four-fight successful streak and a fast rise by the regional scene. She entered the combat having defeated Devon McDonald by resolution lower than a month earlier, making Tuesday’s victory a unprecedented turnaround.
For Mir, the loss marked the primary defeat of her skilled profession. However for Apodaca, it was an evening that might change the trajectory of her profession eternally: an unlimited upset, a UFC contract, and a victory over one of the vital closely favored prospects in Contender Collection historical past.
