Alex Apodaca reacts to historic DWCS upset over -6000 favorite Bella Mir

Alex Apodaca pulled off the biggest upset in Dana White's Contender Series history, defeating heavily favored Bella Mir by unanimous decision in a bantamweight bout on Week 3 of DWCS 2026. Mir, daughter of former UFC heavyweight champion Frank Mir, entered as a -6000 favorite—the largest odds advantage in DWCS history—while Apodaca came in as a +1200 underdog.

Apodaca (5-1) controlled the action throughout the competitive affair, particularly establishing dominance in the final round to secure the victory. Mir, who held a 4-1 record, could not overcome the superior technical execution and strength of her opponent. The win earned Apodaca an immediate UFC contract, a reward typically reserved for the most impressive Contender Series performances.

Following her upset victory, Apodaca revealed her mental approach heading into the matchup. "I didn't want to look at the odds before; I knew they were some bullsh*t," she said. "I just truly believe if I stay present and in the moment that I can see everything and nobody is going to beat me. Cause I'm pretty technical, and I'm strong as f*ck." Her comments reflected a focused mindset that allowed her to tune out the narrative surrounding Mir's supposed superiority.

Notably, UFC CEO Dana White acknowledged his own bias toward Mir during the contract presentation, admitting he had been heavily invested in her combat sports career. Despite White's preference, Apodaca's dominant performance left no room for debate, making her victory one of the most shocking results in the Contender Series' history.