Las Vegas sees Alex Apodaca upset Bella Mir at Dana White’s Contender Series

By Liam Tremblay — 26 August 2026 — 3 min read

Historic Upset at Meta APEX

Alex Apodaca delivered a significant upset at Dana White’s Contender Series (DWCS) on Tuesday night, defeating Bella Mir by unanimous decision. This victory marked a notable moment in DWCS history, as Mir was considered a strong favourite in the bantamweight bout. Apodaca’s win secured her a contract with the UFC, joining four other fighters from the event.

The matchup between Apodaca and Mir, daughter of former heavyweight champion Frank Mir, featured the most lopsided odds ever seen in DWCS. Despite these odds, Apodaca maintained her focus, stating in a post-fight interview that she believed in staying present and in the moment to overcome any opponent. Mir’s professional mixed martial arts record now stands at 4-1 following this loss, her first in the sport.

Night of Finishes and Contracts

The third week of Dana White’s Contender Series Season 10, held at the Meta APEX in Las Vegas, concluded with all five winners earning UFC contracts. Alongside Apodaca, Nick Galanti, Ronald Humphrey, Sean Clancy Jr., and Guilherme Uriel were also awarded contracts after securing decisive victories in their respective bouts.

The event began with a quick finish from Nick Galanti, who defeated Carlos Petruzzella by knockout in the first round. Galanti, a middleweight champion from Cage Fury Fighting Championships, needed only 35 seconds to secure his victory. He initially reacted to a body kick from Petruzzella, then attempted a takedown. After Petruzzella defended the takedown, Galanti pressed him against the fence and delivered a powerful right hook, sending Petruzzella to the canvas. Galanti then followed up with ground strikes to finalize the knockout.

Ronald Humphrey showcased a high-octane offence in his welterweight fight against Alexis Miranda. Humphrey, the son of former Strikeforce athlete Ron “Abongo” Humphrey, secured a submission victory via rear-naked choke in the first round. Miranda initially attempted a jab-right-hand combination, but Humphrey responded by taking him down. Despite Miranda’s efforts to return to his feet, Humphrey repeatedly brought him back to the mat, delivering knees and elbows before ultimately securing the submission.

Sean Clancy Jr., the Cage Warriors welterweight champion, maintained his undefeated record and 100 percent finish rate by defeating Gary Balletto via TKO in the second round. Clancy Jr. found his range with kicks in the first round, mixing body and head shots. In the second round, he initiated a takedown and transitioned through various ground control positions, including side control, back mount, and full mount. From full mount, Clancy Jr. delivered elbows and punches, leading to the referee stopping the fight due to the punishment Balletto was receiving.

The final contract of the night went to Guilherme Uriel, who defeated Mario Piazzon by submission with a standing guillotine choke in the first round. This victory was particularly emotional for Uriel, as it marked his second attempt on Dana White’s Contender Series. Piazzon attempted an immediate shot at the start of the bout, but Uriel quickly secured his neck, leading to the submission within the opening minute.

Weigh-in and Event Details

All fighters successfully made weight for Week 3 of Dana White’s Contender Series 2026, which took place on August 25. The weigh-in results confirmed the matchups for the five-fight card. Bella Mir weighed in at 136 pounds, while Alex Apodaca was 135.5 pounds. Mario Piazzon weighed 238 pounds, and Guilherme Uriel was 241.5 pounds. Gary Balletto Jr. came in at 169 pounds, with Sean Clancy Jr. at 170 pounds. Ronald Humphrey weighed 169 pounds, and Alexis Miranda was 170 pounds. Carlos Petruzzella weighed 185.5 pounds, and Nick Galanti was 185 pounds. The event commenced at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT on Tuesday, August 25.

Source: sportsnet.ca