Bella Mir is already making history.
MMA Fighting confirmed with Mir’s management that “Lady” — the daughter of former UFC heavyweight champion Frank Mir — has signed a name, image, and likeness (NIL) deal to serve as an ambassador for the UFC while competing at the University of Iowa. ESPN . first reported the news.
The UFC announced later the signing through social media.
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
NIL deals are relatively new in the world of amateur sports, with the NCAA first allowing them in July 2021. This allows college students to receive compensation for their images being used for publicity purposes. Mir is currently a freshman on the Hawkeyes wrestling team as well as a professional fighter.
“I’m super grateful and I honestly couldn’t be more thankful to [UFC President] Dana [White] and UFC for giving me this opportunity,” Bella Mir said in a press release statement. “I will do everything I can to represent UFC and to show the world .”
what I stand for.”
The University of Iowa has announced that UFC signed a sponsorship agreement to help support its women’s and men’s wrestling programs.
Mir was a high school wrestler who won four Nevada state championships. The 20-year-old flyweight is 3-0 as a pro fighter, with her past two wins coming by way of first-round submission.
Mir’s NIL deal does not have any bearing on her competing for the UFC or any other promotion in the future; however, White sounds optimistic that this is just the beginning of their working relationship.
“Bella had been destined to be a UFC member her whole life. White stated in a press statement that White was proud of White’s accomplishment as the first NIL ambassador for one of Iowa’s best programs. “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 amazing role model for young girls who want to not only get involved in sports but also follow their dreams. We can’t wait to see her next .
Mike Heck contributed to this report.
Source: https://www.mmafighting.com/2023/1/27/23574344/bella-mir-first-fighter-to-sign-nil-deal-with-ufc?rand=96749
