Dana White Backs Bella Mir's UFC, Olympics, Boxing Plans

Dana White says he has been closely involved in Bella Mir's career for the past four years and supports her goal to fight for the UFC while competing at the 2028 Olympics.

Mir, daughter of former UFC heavyweight champion Frank Mir, will face Alex Apodaca on Dana White's Contender Series on Aug. 25 in a bantamweight bout that headlines the Week 3 card. The unbeaten 23-year-old enters with a 4-0 record and a shot at a UFC contract.

🎟️ Get tickets: Buy tickets to UFC Contender Series on Ticketmaster →

White's Role in Mir's Development

Speaking at the DWCS 2026 Week 1 post-fight press conference, White told reporters he encouraged Mir to attend college rather than turn pro immediately after high school. "That was the goal, too, in college," White said, per Sherdog. "Not just for her to get an education but to break some college records. She would enter these jiu-jitsu competitions and win them. You know, while she was only wrestling, not even doing jiu-jitsu. So, she's special."

Mir has outlined ambitions to become the first UFC fighter to compete in the Olympics while also chasing championships in UFC, UFC BJJ and Zuffa Boxing. White confirmed those discussions have taken place. "Yeah, we've talked about it," he said. "I mean, she presented that to me."

🎟️ Get tickets: Buy tickets to UFC Contender Series on Ticketmaster →

Mir's opponent Apodaca brings a 3-1 record into the contest. The Aug. 25 DWCS card marks the third week of this year's season.

Reported via:

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