Dana White backs Bella Mir’s UFC, Olympics and boxing ambitions

Dana White has thrown his backing behind Bella Mir's ambitious multi-sport career path, which includes UFC competition, Olympic participation, and titles across multiple combat disciplines. The daughter of former UFC heavyweight champion Frank Mir is scheduled to compete on Week 3 of Dana White's Contender Series 2026, fighting for a UFC contract on August 25.

Bella (4-0) will headline that DWCS card against bantamweight Alex Apodaca (3-1), with White revealing he has been closely involved in her development for the past four years. "I'm very excited about Bella," White said at the DWCS 2026 Week 1 post-fight press conference. "I've been very involved in her life the last four years."

The 23-year-old undefeated fighter has expressed aspirations to become the first UFC competitor to also represent the United States at the Olympics, targeting the 2028 Games. White confirmed that Bella has discussed pursuing titles not only in the UFC but also in UFC jiu-jitsu and Zuffa Boxing. "Yeah, we've talked about it," White said. "She presented that to me."

White credited his earlier guidance for shaping Mir's trajectory, recommending she attend college rather than turn professional immediately after high school. That decision proved instrumental in developing her wrestling foundation. "Not just for her to get an education but to break some college records," White explained. "She would enter these jiu-jitsu competitions and win them while she was only wrestling, not even doing jiu-jitsu. So, she's special."