Bella Mir claimed the 145 lbs (65.8 kg) national championship at the inaugural NCAA Women’s Wrestling Championships in Coralville, Iowa on March 7, 2026. The 23-year-old Las Vegas native, daughter of former UFC heavyweight champion Frank Mir, capped a remarkable collegiate run with a first-period pin of top-seeded Reese Larramendy of Iowa, the only wrestler who had bested her all season.
Her father, Frank Mir, was in her corner for the finals.
“When you have fans and teammates like that, how do I lose? That’s my biggest support system along with my family and my parents.”
Mir’s abilities extend across multiple grappling disciplines. She is an IBJJF purple belt world no-gi champion in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and carries an undefeated 4-0 record as a professional mixed martial arts competitor. She made her pro MMA debut in Mexico at just 17 years old, and in 2023, she became the first college athlete to enter a deal under the UFC’s name, image, and likeness (NIL) program.
With her collegiate career now behind her, Mir has signaled a return to MMA competition, likely on the regional circuit, while keeping a larger goal within reach, a spot on the United States Olympic team for the 2028 Los Angeles Games. Women’s wrestling at the Olympics would offer her the chance to compete for the country on the most prominent stage the sport has to offer.
