The third week of Dana White's Contender Series 2026 delivered a night full of intense action and significant upsets at the Meta Apex. The main event featured a highly anticipated clash where Bella Mir, daughter of former UFC champion Frank Mir, faced off against Alex Apodaca. Despite Mir being a substantial favorite, with odds ranging from -2000 to -3000, Apodaca stunned the audience by controlling the fight and earning a unanimous decision victory with scores of 29-28 across the board.

Apodaca showcased impressive skills, stuffing Mir's takedown attempts and landing significant strikes that bloodied Mir's nose. After the fight, Apodaca expressed disbelief at the odds, stating, "That's crazy, I didn't look at the odds before, I knew it was bullshit. I just truly believe that if I stay present and in the moment, nobody's going to beat me because I'm technical and I'm strong."

Dana White, despite his prior bias towards Mir, awarded Apodaca a contract for her remarkable performance, marking her as one of five fighters to earn a contract that night.

Other notable results from Week 3 included:

• Guilherme Uriel defeating Mario Piazzon via first-round submission (standing guillotine choke)
• Sean Clancy Jr. winning against Gary Balletto via second-round TKO (punches)
• Ronald Humphrey submitting Alexis Miranda with a rear-naked choke in the first round
• Nick Galanti knocking out Carlos Petruzzella in the first round (punches)

Overall, the night was a testament to the unpredictable nature of the sport, providing thrilling finishes and showcasing emerging talent.