Bella Mir can punch a ticket to the UFC with a statement performance in her next fight.
Mir, the 23-year-old daughter of former UFC heavyweight champion Frank Mir, has been booked to headline at Dana White’s Contender Series (DWCS) event on August 25.
DWCS offers up-and-coming athletes a direct route to the UFC through ten weekly fight nights in Las Vegas from August through October, although a win does not always guarantee a contract.
Mir, who made her professional MMA debut in 2020, has been matched against fellow American Alex Apodaca for the fifth bout of her career.
The pair will main event DWCS 89 — week three of the organisation’s tenth season.
It is the first time Mir has competed in MMA since a first-round submission win in July 2025 under the Fury FC banner.
She has since balanced grappling and wrestling bouts, competing for the likes of Real American Freestyle (RAF) and UFC BJJ — a Brazilian jiu-jitsu league launched by the UFC.
Aside from a unanimous decision on her debut, which prompted Mir to take time out of the sport to work on her grappling, the rest of her MMA victories have come by way of first-round submission.
Bella Mir speaks ahead of DWCS fight
Speaking to the UFC ahead of her DWCS bout, the two-time BJJ world champion explained why she is motivated to be the best.
“I think I dedicate my life to this sport and competing all the time because I just love that adrenaline of winning and losing and just the whole process of getting to your final goal,” Mir said.
“I want to be the best athlete of all time. I want to be where I can be the first ever woman to be involved.”
Frank added: “Does she take advantage of the legacy I started for her? Absolutely.
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“Is she getting to levels that I couldn’t even imagine? Yeah, I’m watching it right now.”
The UFC veteran told ESPN earlier this year his daughter wants to prove ‘she’s the one’ and ‘the greatest martial artist of all time.’
Frank fought in the UFC from 2001 to 2016, winning the heavyweight title against Tim Sylvia in 2004.
He claimed the interim heavyweight title in late 2008 but failed to convert it to an undisputed belt against Brock Lesnar at UFC 100.
Frank’s last fight was a first-round KO defeat to Mark Hunt at UFC Brisbane in March 2016.
He has previously teased a return to fighting aged 47 to share a card with his daughter, but a spinal injury that led to a nine-hour emergency surgery last year prevented those plans.
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UFC employee competing on DWCS
This year’s edition of DWCS has also provided opportunities to others like undefeated fighter Sal Everett, who works for the UFC, having previously served as a runner for White.
Everett faces Ozzy Martin in the welterweight division on October 6.
UFC CEO White is ‘excited’ to see a man he knows well go out and fight for a contract with his promotion.
“He is a great kid and everybody in this company loves him,” White said, per MMA Junkie.
“I feel bad for whoever he’s fighting. He’s gonna feel like he’s coming into enemy territory when that is not the case.
“If Sal’s good enough, then he’s gonna make it and he’s gonna get a contract.
UFC Schedule
There are still several blockbuster shows and exciting contests for fight fans to look forward to in 2026, and you can find the full list of all confirmed events and official bouts as part of talkSPORT.com’s UFC schedule.
The UFC, on average, puts on 13 to 14 premium events in a calendar year, with up to 30 smaller ‘Fight Night’ cards allowing prospects and less experienced fighters to showcase their talents.
On January 1, 2026, Dana White’s promotion signed a seven-year broadcast deal with CBS and Paramount+ for exclusive rights in the US, meaning the UFC has put on shows like never before this year.
With the historic first event in the new Paramount era, UFC 324, delivering huge success, and a one-of-a-kind fight card at the White House in June opening up the UFC to a new audience, the promotion remains a premium global sports brand, and fans are eager to keep track of results and upcoming fights.
“If he’s not, then he’s gotta figure out what he’s gonna do next.”
