UFC signs Bella Mir as the first NIL Ambassador

29 January 2023

Bella Mir, a student at the University of Iowa and part of the women's wrestling team, has been signed by UFC as the first NIL ambassador.

“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,” UFC President Dana White said. “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.”

After winning four straight Nevada state high school wrestling championships, Mir, the daughter of two-time UFC heavyweight champion Frank Mir, joined the women's Hawkeyes wrestling squad. She competed in high school wrestling, placing sixth nationally in the 144-pound weight class and winning the 2021 USA Wrestling Junior Folkstyle National Championship. Mir, a renowned jiu-jitsu expert, also took first place in the 2021 and 2022 International Jiu-Jitsu Con Championships.

“I’m super grateful and I honestly couldn’t be more thankful to Dana and UFC for giving me this opportunity,” said Mir. “I’m going to make sure I do my best to represent UFC and show the world what I’m all about.”

She competed as a member of the iKon Fighting Federation on October 10, 2020, making her professional MMA debut there and winning by unanimous decision. She has a record of 3-0 and was chosen by UFC FIGHT PASS, the top digital subscription programme for combat sports, as the 2022 Female Fighter of the Year.

An interim name, image, and likeness (NIL) policy was authorised by the NCAA Division I Board of Directors in 2021. All NCAA Division I, Division II, and Division III student-athletes are eligible to receive compensation for their NIL under this policy, which was modified in 2022.