Apodaca On Historic Mir Upset: 'So Cool That I Pulled It Off'
Alex Apodaca stunned the MMA world on Tuesday night, beating Bella Mir by unanimous decision as the biggest underdog in Dana White's Contender Series history. Apodaca entered the bantamweight bout at +1200, while Mir closed as a -6000 favorite, according to MMA Fighting.
The 32-year-old controlled the fight over 15 minutes, stuffing Mir's grappling and piling up damage on the feet to earn a UFC contract. "It's sick. I think it's so cool that I pulled it off," Apodaca said at the post-fight press conference, per MMA Fighting. "Like I said, it's hard to believe sometimes."
Apodaca Knew She Had It After Round One
Apodaca said she avoided checking the odds before the fight, telling Sherdog in her cage interview that she knew "they were some bullshit." Once she felt Mir's pressure in the opening exchanges, the upset became real in her mind. By the end of the first round, when she reversed position to land on top, Apodaca knew Mir was in trouble. She told reporters Mir looked overconfident during the walkout and appeared unprepared for a war.
Apodaca has only five pro fights but logged extensive amateur rounds, and she understands the clock is ticking on her career. She wants a top-10 opponent within a year. More immediately, she wants the doubters to stop writing her off. "I don't want to be overlooked anymore," she said, noting this was her third straight fight as an underdog.
UFC CEO Dana White admitted he was biased toward Mir, whose father Frank Mir is a former heavyweight champion. The contract went to Apodaca anyway. She fights next at a date to be announced.
Photo: Dan Scavino Jr. / Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Original reporting:
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