Bella Mir: A Rising Star in Combat Sports
Bella Mir, at just 22 years old, is emerging as one of the most active athletes in the world. Following her victory at UFC BJJ 1 in June, she is preparing for her fourth professional fight at Fury Challenger Series 14, marking her return to MMA after a three-year hiatus.
Mir’s break from competition was not a choice; she took time off to focus on her future in wrestling after starting in the renowned program at Iowa. Injuries nearly led her to abandon the sport entirely.
“My initial plan in college was to fight over the summer and wrestle throughout the year,” Mir explained. “However, after dealing with coaching conflicts after competing at Junior Worlds, I decided to transfer to North Central College, which embraced my aspirations in MMA and jiu-jitsu.”
Despite her efforts to secure a fight last year, scheduling difficulties hindered her progress. This year, she was grateful for her opponent’s acceptance of the match, as the pieces finally aligned.
The University of Iowa has a prestigious women’s wrestling program, boasting athletes like Kennedy Blades, a silver medalist from the 2024 Olympics. Although Mir found some success there, her ongoing injuries forced her to reconsider her path, prompting her transfer to a supportive environment at North Central.
Mir secured second place at the 145-pound category in the 2025 NCAA Women’s Wrestling Championships in her first year at North Central, further motivating her ambitions. With the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles on her radar, she remains focused on wrestling as her primary sport, aspiring to represent the U.S. on an international stage.
Despite wrestling being her priority, Mir continues to practice Brazilian jiu-jitsu and MMA. She plans to balance her training with her wrestling competition schedule, although she is keenly aware that her time in wrestling may be limited. With a strong support system, including UFC CEO Dana White and her father, two-time heavyweight champion Frank Mir, she is contemplating her transition to MMA in due course.
