UFC CEO Dana White is known for his outspoken opinions, but even he was caught off guard by a recent loss suffered by a young fighter he's been mentoring.
Bella Mir, the 23-year-old daughter of former UFC heavyweight champion Frank Mir, entered week 3 of Dana White's Contender Series 10 on Tuesday as a heavy favorite to win. Instead, she suffered her first career defeat at the hands of Alex Apodaca.
The loss was a major upset, with Apodaca's takedown defense proving effective against Mir's wrestling background. Apodaca was able to score a unanimous decision win, handing Mir her first professional loss in four fights.
White, who has known Mir for years and even advised her on her future paths, weighed in on her loss during the event's post-fight press conference. "I was extremely biased coming into tonight," he said. "I've been close to her for over four years. Four years ago, she came to me and wanted to sort of map out her future. I'm the one that talked her into going to college, you know, and waiting, you know, getting a wrestling background in college, do some great things there, and then come here and, you know…"
White believes Mir's inexperience played a role in the loss. She had only gone the distance once before, while all of Apodaca's fights were settled on the scorecards. "Like I said out there, [Michael] Bisping absolutely nailed it and said, 'The difference in this fight is deep water. Bella's never been there and Alex has,'" White said. "Like Bisping said, she didn't have deep water experience and now she does. She didn't fold. She didn't get stopped. She didn't quit. This is all part of the game."
Mir entered the Meta Apex in Las Vegas on Tuesday with a 4-0 professional record. Apodaca was 3-1, but it was Mir's inexperience that ultimately cost her the fight. White is confident that Mir will learn from the loss and come back stronger.
The loss may have been a setback for Mir, but it's not a major blow to her career. She still has a lot to offer and White is confident that she'll bounce back. "She didn't fold," he said. "She didn't get stopped. She didn't quit. This is all part of the game."
Source: Yahoo Sports