Dana White admits he was ‘insanely biased’ before Bella Mir’s shock Contender Series defeat

Dana White has admitted that he was ‘insanely biased’ prior to watching Bella Mir lose her Contender Series opportunity.

UFC boss White has made it a selling point of Dana White’s Contender Series that he knows little to nothing about fighters who appear on the show before they walk out. However, things were very different for Mir, whose father is former heavyweight world champion Frank Mir.

Unfortunately for the young prospect, it seems tonight’s opportunity was too much too soon as after a quick start she ended up losing a decision to Alex Apodaca. It was the biggest underdog victory in the show’s nine years.

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Dana White reacts to Bella Mir’s first defeat on Contender Series

Dana White has had a relationship with Bella Mir and her family for years, and even helped to plan out her run in the fight game. White also says that he was an important voice in having her go to university instead of immediately going for a career in the cage.

Speaking with the media after the fact, he noted that he was clearly leaning towards one side before the upset. “I was extremely biased coming into tonight,” he admitted. “I’ve been close to her for over four years.

“Four years ago, she came to me and just wanted to sort of map out her future. I’m the one that talked her into going to college and waiting, getting a wrestling background in college, doing some great things there, and then coming here.

“[Michael] Bisping absolutely nailed it and said, ‘The difference in this fight is deep water.’ Bella’s never been there, and Alex has.”