Mirsad Bektić was born on February 16, 1991, to Bosnian Muslim parents in the eastern Bosnian town of Srebrenica in the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (present-day Bosnia and Herzegovina) amid the breakup of Yugoslavia. At the age of three, he relocated to Italy with his mother Suada and his siblings fleeing the Bosnian War, a conflict which claimed the lives of his maternal grandparents and several relatives. The family moved again for a five-year stay in Germany. Bektić moved to the United States at age nine, where his family settled in Lincoln, Nebraska. He has two older brothers and a younger sister. Bektić went to Irving Middle School, and graduated from Lincoln Southeast High School. He began training in karate at the age of 13 and later boxed for one and a half years before transitioning to mixed martial arts in 2008.
Bektić made his professional debut in 2011, competing primarily in regional promotions across the Central United States where he compiled an undefeated record of 7–0 before signing with the UFC in early 2014. Prior to being signed by the UFC, Bektić was touted by notable publication BloodyElbow.com who listed Bektić at #1 in its "MMA's Top 25 Prospects" list in 2014.
Bektić made his promotional debut against fellow newcomer Chas Skelly on April 19, 2014 at UFC on Fox 11. Bektić won the back and forth fight via majority decision. The fight was nearly stopped in the second round as Skelly landed a pair of illegal knees as Bektić was grounded against the cage, prompting the referee to deduct a point and allow him five minutes to recover. Bektić clearly was hurt and wobbled as he returned to his feet but was able to continue after a brief break.

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