Bella Mir On Why 20 Fighters Refused Her

Bella Mir spent a year on the shelf because women's MMA prospects kept declining to face her, according to the fighter herself.

Mir told media that twenty opponents refused matchups with her over the course of that layoff, per MMA Mania, which ultimately drove her to accept an opportunity on Dana White's Contender Series. The daughter of former UFC heavyweight champion Frank Mir weighed in at the Palace Station Hotel on Monday ahead of her scheduled appearance on Season 10, Week 3 of the Contender Series.

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Mir's Path to the Contender Series

The extended inactivity left Mir with few options outside of the UFC developmental platform. While Mir did not specify which prospects or at what level turned down bouts, the pattern of refusals points to a common issue faced by fighters with recognizable last names or perceived dangerous styles early in their careers. Dana White's Contender Series has become a proving ground for fighters struggling to secure matchups on the regional circuit.

Mir's bout is set to air on UFC Fight Pass from the APEX in Las Vegas. A win could secure her a UFC contract on the spot, depending on how the finish materializes and White's mood in the moment.

Reported via:

• MMA Mania — Midnight Mania! Twenty yellow-bellies drove daunting Bella Mir to Contender Series