We’re happy to announce Bella Mir as the
UFC’s first ever NIL ambassador!Mir is currently a freshman at the University of Iowa (@TheIowaHawkeyes)
and a member of @IowaW_Wrestling
🤼♀️ pic.twitter.com/7JCEQd1WqT— UFC (@ufc)
January 27, 2023
At just 20 years of age, Ultimate Fighting Championship hopeful Bella Mir is
already making serious waves.
Advertisement
Per a press release from the UFC on Friday, the organization has
signed Mir (3-0) to be an “NIL ambassador,” which will pay her for
her name, image and likeness rights. The NCAA ban on NIL deals with
athletes was recently lifted, and Mir is the first to come from the
UFC. This follows a
major sponsorship arrangement from the UFC to the Iowa Hawkeyes
wrestling program, in which Mir is a member of the women’s
wrestling team.
UFC head Dana White spoke highly of Mir and of this new agreement,
saying, “Bella was destined to become a member of the UFC family
her entire life, and I’m proud that she’s making history as our
first NIL ambassador in one of the best programs at the University
of Iowa. She’s a four-time state high school wrestling champion who
has won jiu-jitsu tournaments and three professional MMA fights
before turning 19. Bella is an incredible role model for young
women who are not only looking to get into sports, but also pursue
their dreams. She’s on another level, and we can’t wait to see what
she does next.”
Mir joined up with the Iowa Hawkeyes as a freshman after dominating
her high school wrestling circuit, claiming four straight titles in
Nevada. Competing at 144 pounds, she earned a national ranking, and
also won out in the 2021 USA Wrestling Junior Folkstyle National
Championships in her division. Additionally, she has taken home
medals at multiple national jiu-jitsu tournaments.
At the age of 17, Mir turned pro in MMA, and she rattled off three
wins – including two first-round finishes – in the span of about 20
months. However, none of her opponents at the time had won a pro
bout when she faced them. This agreement with the UFC does not
guarantee a roster spot for the daughter of UFC champ Frank Mir,
although based on White’s statement, it may be in her future.
“I’m super grateful and I honestly couldn’t be more thankful to
Dana and UFC for giving me this opportunity,” she said about the
signing. “I’m going to make sure I do my best to represent UFC and
show the world what I’m all about.”