It’s felt like a while since Bryce Mitchell scored a finish, let alone one via submission, but that happened at UFC Vegas 118. With less than 10 seconds left, “Thug Nasty” scored a submission victory over Santiago Luna.
While Luna attempted to take control early with his striking, Mitchell took over and just about dominated the first round with his grappling, controlling the action on the ground. Mitchell, in fact, spent most of the first two rounds on top, working Luna over with his positioning and preventing Luna from using his striking skillset.
Luna appeared to take control in the grappling department with a takedown in the third round. Mitchell, however, quickly found a way to reverse the position and get back to business. Eventually, he locked up an arm-triangle choke on Luna, forcing a submission with under 10 seconds remaining.
Bryce Mitchell Submits Santiago Luna At UFC Vegas 118
IN THE FINAL SECONDS!!
Bryce Mitchell earns the submission victory for a huge victory at bantamweight!
— UFC on Paramount+ (@UFConParamount) June 7, 2026
Mitchell has now won two straight — making him 2-0 at bantamweight — and three of his last four in the Octagon. This was Mitchell’s first finish since defeating Kron Gracie at UFC 310. This also marks his first submission win in the UFC since his twister of Matt Sayles in 2019.
This marks the first loss of Luna’s MMA career, entering this fight 8-0. He is now 2-1 in the UFC after scoring a finish of Quang Le and a decision over Angel Pacheco.
Bryce Mitchell’s recent foray into grappling might not have gone as successfully as he had hoped.
On Friday night at the La Quinta Inn & Suites in San Antonio, Texas, Mitchell entered the 16-man lightweight bracket at Eddie Bravo Invitational 25 (EBI 25). “Thug Nasty” earned a hard-fought victory in his opening quarter-final against brown belt JJ Bowers, claiming the win in overtime with the fastest escape time.
However, in the semi-finals, the polarizing UFC fighter faced 19-year-old Landon Elmore, and the matchup quickly turned against him. Early in the bout, Elmore locked in a flying triangle choke, compelling Mitchell to carry his opponent out of bounds.
When the action resumed, Elmore wasted no time, diving for a leg attack that forced the 30-year-old Arkansas native to tap less than a minute into the contest, bringing his tournament run to an abrupt end.
Bryce Mitchell vs 19 year-old Landon Elmore lasted under a minute 😮💨
How Many MMA Fights Has Bryce Mitchell Won By Submission?
Bryce Mitchell is widely regarded as one of the most skilled grapplers in the UFC, having secured nine submission victories over the course of his 22-fight professional career. In fact, “Thug Nasty” kicked off his career with an impressive streak, winning his first eight bouts on the regional circuit, all by submission.
Before this victory, Mitchell endured a challenging stretch in the featherweight division, going 2-3 in his last five fights at 145 pounds. All three defeats came by stoppage against top-tier opponents, including current lightweight champion Ilia Topuria, Josh Emmett, and Jean Silva. He now holds a 9-3 record in the UFC.
Bryce Mitchell took a jab at Said Nurmagomedov with a playful spin on a viral catchphrase.
On Saturday, Mitchell made a successful return to the bantamweight division, earning a dominant unanimous decision win over Nurmagomedov on the UFC Abu Dhabi preliminary card at Etihad Arena.
“Thug Nasty” opened aggressively but paid for it early, eating sharp counters and suffering a knockdown. Nurmagomedov followed up with a massive flying knee that floored him again, but Mitchell managed to recover and survive the onslaught.
In the second and third rounds, Mitchell leaned heavily on his wrestling, scoring timely takedowns and controlling key positions. He ended the final round in back control, sealing the deal with all three judges scoring the bout 29-28 in his favor.
Image: @UFCNews/X
Bryce Mitchell Uses Islam Makhachev’s Viral Catchphrase To Taunt Said Nurmagomedov
On Sunday, Bryce Mitchell took to Instagram and posted a story where he fired shots at Said Nurmagomedov, repurposing Islam Makhachev’s infamous catchphrase to mock his Dagestani opponent after a grappling-centric showdown.
“Thug Nasty” borrowed a page from the former UFC lightweight champion’s playbook, flipping the iconic “Send him 2-3 years Dagestan and forget” into his own hilarious twist: “Send him to Arkansas, 2-3 years and forget about it.”
Bryce Mitchell has a message for Said Nurmagomedov😅
In a past interview with UFC Hall of Famer and former training partner Daniel Cormier, Islam Makhachev jokingly suggested that if parents wanted their child to become an elite wrestler, they should “send them to Dagestan for two to three years and forget.” The tongue-in-cheek remark has since taken on a life of its own, becoming a widely recognized meme within the MMA community.
Bryce Mitchell entered UFC Abu Dhabi looking to rebound from a tough second-round submission loss to Jean Silva at UFC 314, a setback which led the Arkansas native to make the cut down to bantamweight. Before securing his win over Nurmagomedov, “Thug Nasty” had dropped three of his last five UFC outings, with each of those defeats coming via stoppage.
Bryce Mitchell faced adversity early on in his UFC bantamweight debut, but he managed to use his grappling expertise to comeback and score a decision victory over Said Nurmagomedov in the featured preliminary card bout at UFC Abu Dhabi.
Nurmagomedov got the better of Mitchell early, dropping him with a big knee. He then jumped onto Mitchell and connected with solid ground-and-pound, but Mitchell tried to stay active from the bottom. He managed to end the round pressing Nurmagomedov into the fence.
Mitchell then scored a takedown early into the second round, showing dominance on top while attempting to find a kimura and an arm-triangle choke. Nurmagomedov would manage to work his way back to the feet, only for Mitchell to score another takedown before the round’s end.
Nurmagomedov threatened with a guillotine and secured mount during the third round. Mitchell, however, managed to reverses and controlled most of the round from the top with a body triangle, nullifying any of Nurmagomedov’s offense attempts.
Mitchell won the bout 29-28 on all three judges’ scorecards.
Bryce Mitchell Victorious In Bantamweight Debut At UFC Abu Dhabi
Bryce Mitchell did nothing that fight but will win cause of the stupid ufc point rules. Getting control time but not doing anything shouldn’t win you a fight
I mean Said Nurmagomedov probably did more with that mounted guillotine choke in about 8 seconds than anything else that happened in the round but I fully expect Bryce Mitchell to win #UFCAbuDhabi
Mitchell has traded wins and loses consecutively since his undefeated record came to an end in 2022. He came into this bout off a loss to Jean Silva at UFC 314.
Nurmagomedov has now lost two straight and three of his last four. He made his return after an approximately 15-month layoff at UFC Saudi Arabia in February, losing to Vinicius Oliveira.
UFC fighter Bryce Mitchell has said that he believes Ilia Topuria is beatable – even if he wasn’t able to get the job done when they fought.
As we know, Ilia Topuria is an absolute monster, and he’s one of the biggest stars in mixed martial arts today. He is a two-weight world champion in the UFC, and somehow, it feels like he’s only just getting started. ‘El Matador’ has managed to knock off some huge names across his last few fights but prior to that, he also fought some decent competition at featherweight.
That includes Bryce Mitchell, at a time when both men were rising up through the ranks pretty quickly. In the end, it was Ilia Topuria who got the better of their exchanges, eventually securing a submission win.
Ahead of his return to the cage this weekend, Bryce Mitchell spoke to reporters about Ilia Topuria and the possibility of him facing Islam Makhachev.
Bryce Mitchell’s view on Ilia Topuria
“If Islam gets on top of him, he’s in trouble,” Mitchell told MMA Junkie and other reporters during Wednesday’s media day. “He (Topuria) hits harder and better, and is just more precise at punching than Makhachev. That’s why he’s got so many knockouts. You tell Arman I was as sick as a dog in that fight, and if it was a proper fight – I should have let the fans know I probably shouldn’t have took the fight. Anyways, I won’t fight sick again.
“That’s the one fight that bothers me to this day. I can’t believe I let my pride get the best of me, and I took that fight. But yeah, if Arman gets him down, he’ll do great. What’s great about Ilia is his shot selection, and he doesn’t waste his energy. He’s very, very good at conserving his energy, but he is not unbeatable, bro. I blacked his eye on a night when I didn’t have no power in my arms. If I had gone in there healthy, he’d have two black eyes.”
Before securing the finish, “Lord” displayed sharp striking and showcased a clear grappling edge, neutralizing the American in nearly every exchange en route to locking in the submission win.
After suffering his second submission defeat in the UFC, “Thug Nasty” took to Instagram to reflect on the loss, admitting he was heartbroken by the outcome but stood by the fact that he left everything he had in the Octagon.
“Thank God, he protected me, Bryce Mitchell said. “I didn’t lose my teeth. I don’t got no broken bones. So I feel good about that. I fought as hard as I possibly could. I couldn’t have fought any harder. I could have fought smarter. I’m going to go make some adjustments but I mean he put me to sleep. I had nothing left to give. I’m happy about that, knowing that I tried my best. But I’ve got to get better. That’s just the lesson learned here, I’ve got to get better.
“I really thought that I was going to win the fight. 100 percent believed it. Because I just never had a fight that big before and I was like wow out of nowhere, this fight just got this much hype. God’s chosen me to win this fight but that wasn’t the case… I’m just going to keep fighting. That’s all I can do,” Mitchell said. “That’s all we can all do. Any time you take a loss, just learn from it and keep fighting. That’s what I’m going to do.”
After a tough night at #UFC314, Bryce Mitchell shared a heartfelt message with his fans:
"Y’all are so amazing. What an honor to entertain you. It’s okay to be disappointed — I’m not offended. It wasn’t a good night for me, but I can honestly say I gave it my all. I encourage… pic.twitter.com/x0w1f39M1y
“Thug Nasty” finds himself on uneven footing, going 2-3 in his last five appearances—each of the three losses coming by way of stoppage. His most recent win came at UFC 310 in December, when he scored a third-round knockout over Kron Gracie amidst an inconsistent run.
Mitchell looked to get out to a strong start early, taking the upper hand in striking. But when Mitchell went for his grappling strength, Silva was ready. Silva stuffed a takedown attempt and countered another with a choke. Silva attempted three different chokes on Mitchell in the final minute of the first round.
At that point, Mitchell spent a significant amount of time on the back foot, as Silva became the aggressor, landing notable strikes, including a spinning backfist. Silva was able to get a hold of Mitchell again and continued to search for the choke. Finally, in the middle of the second round, Silva locked in a ninja choke, getting Mitchell to tap just before he passed out.
Jean Silva Brutally Chokes Out Bryce Mitchell At UFC 314
Silva has now won 13 straight fights in his MMA career, and he’s unbeaten in the Octagon since arriving from Dana White’s Contender Series. Silva’s other victories have come against Westin Wilson, Charles Jourdain, Drew Dober, and Melsik Baghdasaryan. “Lord” may be in line for a notable contenders’ bout now in his next fight.
Mitchell, meanwhile, has lost two of his last three. His most recent fight had been the dud against Kron Gracie at UFC 310 — which marked his first fight since the devastating knockout loss to Josh Emmett in December 2023.
Saturday’s UFC 314 lineup is topped by a championship clash, with former featherweight kingpin Volkanovski looking to become a two-time titleholder at 145 pounds. If the Australian is to begin a new rule atop the featherweight mountain, he must stall the title ambitions of a rising name in Lopes. Since impressing in a short-notice debut against Movsar Evloev, the Mexico-based Brazilian has won five straight to earn a first shot at gold.
Before those two collide in the UFC 314 main event, there will be high stakes in the division above. Setting the stage for UFC 314’s title bout will be a key lightweight contest between Michael Chandler and Paddy Pimblett. While “Iron” will return five months on from a second defeat to Charles Oliveira that has left him 2-4 in the UFC, the surging Scouser will look to carry the momentum from his quick submission of King Green last July en route to a place in the 155-pound title picture.
Elsewhere on the UFC 314 card, the controversial Bryce Mitchell faces the power of Jean Silva, Bellator legend Patricio Pitbull debuts in the Octagon against Yair Rodriguez, and top 10 light heavyweights Nikita Krylov and Dominick Reyes collide.
UFC 314: MMA News Staff Predictions
Ahead of Saturday’s UFC 314 event, Thomas Albano, Ryan Jarrell, Pranav Pandey, and Aakrit Sharma have provided their picks for the five matchups set for the main card.
Below, you can check out the current leaderboard through three cards in 2025.
Thomas Albano (9-4) & Pranav Pandey (9-4)
Ryan Jarrell (7-5)
Aakrit Sharma (5-8)
And with that, it’s time for the team’s predictions for UFC 314.
Light Heavyweight: Nikita Krylov vs. Dominick Reyes
Images: UFC.com
Thomas Albano: Nikita Krylov hasn’t been seen in the Octagon in two years now, and it’s a long-awaited return at UFC 314 for a guy who’s looking to position himself for a future crack at the light heavyweight title. Dominick Reyes is a man who has had those shots at the gold previously, and it had been a rough road since that point. Admittedly, however, it has been nice to see him get his hand raised in his last pair of outings against Dustin Jacoby and Anthony Smith.
I’ll keep this one pretty simple: grappler vs. striker. Krylov will look to bring this one to the ground and control the action there. Reyes will look to prevent those takedowns and do work on the feet with his punches and kicks. Ultimately, I side with the man who – while not having competed for some time – is a strong finisher and has the true momentum between these two. (Prediction: Nikita Krylov)
Ryan Jarrell: What a fun fight to kick off the UFC 314 main card. Both of these guys have a ton of power and know how to close a fight. Krylov is dangerous wherever the fight goes and only actually loses fights to the best in the division. At one point in time, Reyes was considered one of the very best at 205 pounds. Now on a two-fight winning streak with huge wins over veterans Dustin Jacoby and Anthony Smith, the former title challenger is looking like his younger self again.
If Reyes shows up at his best, I expect him to continue his resurgence. But I am not super confident that will be the case, which makes me question if Reyes is the play here. I won’t be placing any bets on this one, but I’m leaning Reyes to get his hand raised. (Prediction: Dominick Reyes)
Pranav Pandey: I’ll be honest, this isn’t the most exciting matchup on the card for me, but it could still surprise us. On paper, it seems to lean toward Krylov. “The Miner” will likely aim to lean on his grappling and control Reyes from the outset. The big question is the layoff. Krylov has been out of action for more than two years, and it’s tough to tell whether he’ll return sharp or show signs of regression. On the other hand, “The Devastator” has looked solid in his last two outings and carries the more polished striking arsenal. That being said, my pick is Krylov. If he sticks to his strengths and avoids unnecessary exchanges, I think he gets the job done. (Prediction: Nikita Krylov)
Aakrit Sharma: This is a tough one to pick! The Reyes that showed up against Jon Jones should’ve been able to beat any light heavyweight on the planet with ease, but he went on a four-fight losing skid instead, which were all decent losses except the Ryan Spann knockout. Anyone can land a KO blow at a heavy division like light heavyweight, but because Reyes has looked crisp with his 1-2 in his last two victories, I’m backing him to continue his much-needed winning streak at UFC 314. Reyes’ chin and openness to body kicks are his biggest weaknesses, and I don’t think Krylov has the style to exploit any of these. (Prediction: Dominick Reyes)
Consensus: 2-2
Featherweight: Bryce Mitchell vs. Jean Silva
Images: UFC.com & Chris Unger/UFC/Zuffa LLC
Thomas Albano: As I’ve said in previous predictions pieces, if there’s one gym that is to watch for in 2025, it’s the Fighting Nerds. Jean Silva and his teammates have become some of the most entertaining fighters to watch in the Octagon and have developed such a system that has led to early success. If Silva is able to get a win over Bryce Mitchell, then the featherweight division needs to watch out.
“Thug Nasty” took a year off from the Octagon after getting brutally stopped by Josh Emmett. His return fight, unfortunately, I feel nothing can be taken away from because he defeated Kron Gracie in what was certainly one of the worst fights I’ve seen watching the UFC. Mitchell’s grappling is great, but that won’t help him here against a rising star in Silva, who is turning into one of the best all-around combatants at 145 pounds. (Prediction: Jean Silva)
Ryan Jarrell: The Fighting Nerds are on an absolute tear and Silva might be the most exciting fighter of them all. Mitchell has had a tough time as of late, and I believe that will continue in Miami. Silva moves so well and his striking is a thing of beauty. The Brazilian is now 4-0 in the UFC, stopping all of his opponents inside of the distance. The man nicknamed “Lord” will eventually land a shot that Mitchell will not be able to recover from and will continue his impressive rise toward stardom at UFC 314. (Prediction: Jean Silva)
Pranav Pandey: This one’s got some heat behind it, and I’m genuinely looking forward to seeing how it unfolds. On the feet, I don’t think Mitchell has much to offer against Silva’s striking. If this stays standing, “Lord” could pick him apart with ease. That said, Mitchell’s grappling-heavy approach is a real threat. If he’s able to drag Silva into his world, things could get tricky fast. But the key for Silva is to stay upright and avoid getting tangled in Mitchell’s grips. If he can do that, I see him taking over quickly. The way I picture it, once “Lord” starts finding his rhythm, it’s going to rain hard on “Thug Nasty.” (Prediction: Jean Silva)
Aakrit Sharma: Mitchell’s only two losses in MMA are to Josh Emmett, a KO machine who can knock out anyone, and Ilia Topuria, the former featherweight kingpin. On the other hand, Silva is riding one of the most impressive KO streaks in the UFC right now. I do think Mitchell has a good chin, and his ground game could be overwhelming for Silva, who hasn’t been tested by an elite grappler in the featherweight division yet. On the flip side, Mitchell is no stranger to taking on scary strikers, and his approach should be very similar to how he fought Edson Barboza.
Silva’s walking into the bout as a huge favorite, but I don’t think he’ll fire through “Thug Nasty” that easily. In fact, on paper, Mitchell has more tools to emerge victorious at UFC 314, and I’m expecting him to pull off a submission upset. (Prediction: Bryce Mitchell)
Consensus: 3-1 Jean Silva
Featherweight: Yair Rodriguez vs. Patricio Pitbull
Images: UFC.com & Bellator MMA
Thomas Albano: Man, do I pray that this ends up being a Fight of the Night style bout. It has been a long time coming that Patricio Pitbull into the Octagon after – like fellow card member Michael Chandler – being one of the faces of Bellator for years. Pitbull was dominant in his time with Bellator, being a longtime king of their featherweight division, as well as a one-time champ-champ. Pitbull may have had a couple of rough outings in recent fights against Sergio Pettis and Chihiro Suzuki, but his title defense over Jeremy Kennedy last year showed he’s still one of the best in the world.
And then you have Yair Rodriguez. His wins over Brian Ortega and Josh Emmett – as well as his gutty performance against Max Holloway – led him to challenge Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 290 for the featherweight title. Even though he did not come out on top, there was still plenty of high expectations and feelings of a bright future. The loss against Brian Ortega last year, however, may have spoiled some of that, and he’ll need a strong outing against Pitbull to maintain the idea that he is a viable title challenger, especially with names like Diego Lopes and Movsar Evloev jumping into the title picture over the last year or so.
This is a rough one to predict, and as I said, I hope this one is a back-and-forth war. Ultimately, I do see Pitbull doing just enough for a memorable UFC debut. (Prediction: Patricio Pitbull)
Ryan Jarrell: MMA fans have always speculated how Pitbull would do against the elite the UFC has to offer. It’s too bad we are just getting to see it now, when the former Bellator star is closing in on 40 years of age. That said, Pitbull is still competing at a high level and is fully capable of upsetting Rodriguez. If the Mexican fights smart and uses his length, he should be able to outpoint the veteran and cruise to a decision victory, which is what I expect to see in this one. (Prediction: Yair Rodriguez)
Pranav Pandey: This one has fireworks written all over it; props to the UFC matchmaking team for putting together such stylistic clash. “El Pantera” is pure artistry in motion. His striking flows effortlessly, and the way he blends creativity with chaos makes him a joy to watch. Add in his unorthodox style, and he becomes a puzzle not many can solve. However, Pitbull is a tank. He is powerful, relentless, and well-rounded. He is not just a knockout threat on the feet but also a seasoned grappler with a wealth of experience in high-pressure situations.
Sharing the cage with someone who brings that kind of forward pressure and physicality is never an easy task. I believe this one will remain close, but Pitbull might just tilt the momentum in his favor. (Prediction: Patricio Pitbull)
Aakrit Sharma: Pitbull claimed that he would’ve retired if he hadn’t signed with the UFC. Is it really the mindset with which you plan to take on a top contender like Rodriguez? Pitbull has a wealth of experience, but fighting in Bellator and Rizin, as harsh as it sounds, is not the truest test for a martial artist. Pitbull’s age is one of my first concerns, and I just see quite a many tools in Rodriguez’s arsenal to finish this fight. He’s just 32, which is why I am favoring him to win despite coming off consecutive losses to Volkanovski and Ortega as well.
Pitbull’s only path to victory here is an upset submission win, but I believe the Mexican has a solid ground game to get out of troubling positions. (Prediction: Yair Rodriguez)
Consensus: 2-2
Lightweight: Michael Chandler vs. Paddy Pimblett
Images: UFC.com
Thomas Albano: Michael Chandler couldn’t score the mega fight with Conor McGregor he’s been yearning for years. But Paddy Pimblett is probably the next best thing he can get, especially on the losing skid he has (and some may even feel this fight is a more entertaining one than McGregor-Chandler would have been). Pimblett has been a rising name in the lightweight division, and a win in this fight – namely a finish in this fight – would mean everything for his hype value. That being said, he’s taking on a veteran name in Chandler who has had his fair share of wars.
It will be interesting to see what happens if this fight goes to the ground, but it will be even more interesting to see if Chandler’s chin can hold up against a younger and speedier Pimblett – or if Pimblett’s weak striking defense hasn’t improved and Chandler lands a cracking shot. Pimblett has recently put out a big prediction that he’ll need just two rounds to finish Chandler, who has lost four of his last five fights. And it’s not out of the realm of possibility. (Prediction: Paddy Pimblett)
Ryan Jarrell: Any time “Iron Mike” steps inside of the UFC octagon, it is must see TV. I have never been completely sold on “Paddy the Baddy,” and I do believe he will be exposed in this fight. Chandler’s wrestling and takedown defense will allow him to dictate where this fight takes place. Ultimately, I think Chandler will stun the Englishman and capitalize with a barrage of unanswered shots leading to a much needed TKO victory. (Prediction: Michael Chandler)
Pranav Pandey: Another tricky one to call. I expect this to be a competitive fight, though not necessarily a striking clinic. I can see Pimblett relentlessly pursuing takedowns, trying to drag Chandler into grappling exchanges, while “Iron” will likely do everything he can to keep it standing — where he’s most dangerous. “The Baddy” is a real wildcard here. He’s unorthodox and can create problems if he finds the right position on the ground — or even on the feet. That said, for all the criticism Chandler receives, particularly regarding his recklessness and questionable fight IQ, he’s still a seasoned competitor with legitimate knockout power and a persistent pace.
I can see Pimblett getting caught in one of those chaotic exchanges. Chandler might just need one opening, and if he finds it, he’ll likely close the show. (Prediction: Michael Chandler)
Aakrit Sharma: Pimblett gets hit a lot, and it could very well cost him the fight against Chandler, even though the latter looked slow and inaccurate against Charles Oliveira. “Iron” has all the power in the world, and he showed that his cardio, even at 38, is still good enough for the lightweight division. Oliveira couldn’t submit Chandler despite almost always having his back for 20 minutes. This is as impressive as it gets, and I’m not expecting Pimblett to surprise the veteran in any way on the ground.
On the feet, again, Chandler has a titanium chin, and Pimblett hasn’t showcased KO potential at lightweight yet. My hot take is that the English fighter is just not that good and has been in really lucky matchups so far. At UFC 314, I’m picking Chandler to hand Pimblett his first UFC loss. (Prediction: Michael Chandler)
Consensus: 3-1 Michael Chandler
UFC Featherweight Title: Alexander Volkanovski vs. Diego Lopes
Thomas Albano: For the first time in over a year, Alexander Volkanovski is back in the Octagon. And just when we thought Ilia Topuria would rule over featherweight, in just 14 months it will end with his venture up to 155 pounds, leading to either Volk reclaiming the featherweight throne, or for it to be seized by the rising Diego Lopes.
Ever since coming in on short notice in his UFC debut and controversially losing to Movsar Evloev, Lopes quickly built a name for himself with wins over the likes of Dan Ige and Brian Ortega. His power is something to behold, and it will be interesting to see how Volkanovski’s accurate striking holds up against the wilder, but more powerful, shots that Lopes can deliver. And even though Volkanovski usually is able to bring the fight to the ground more than once during a fight, Lopes has some slick submissions that can catch him (or anyone for that matter) off guard.
This fight comes down to three things: How Volkanovski looks after more than a year away from the cage, if Lopes is able to get off to a strong start (which I feel he may need), and how Lopes is able to pace himself. That last part can be particularly important when considering that Lopes hasn’t gone five rounds before and he’s taking on a way-more experienced Volkanovski. Having said that, I’m getting this strange suspicion that youth will win out over experience here. (Prediction: Diego Lopes)
Ryan Jarrell: This is a very interesting fight for a number of reasons. The former champion has had a tough run as of late, but his only losses are to a couple of fighters considered the pound-for-pound best in the world. I think Volkanovski took the fight with Topuria way too soon and didn’t allow himself to fully recover from his KO loss to Makhachev. Now that he’s had a year off from active competition, I think we will see a vintage performance from the former champ and he will prove he’s still on that championship level. Lopes is legit and he very well may claim the title down the line. I just don’t see it happening here. Give me Volkanovski to win via decision. (Prediction: Alexander Volkanovski)
Pranav Pandey: This is one of those matchups where my heart wants Volkanovski to pull through, but my mind leans toward Lopes. As much as I want to back “The Great” given everything he’s accomplished and the kind of fighter he is, I can’t ignore what Lopes brings to the table. With Ilia Topuria no longer part of the featherweight equation, the Brazilian might be the most dangerous contender in the division right now. Lopes brings a potent blend of finishing instincts and high-level grappling that could create real problems for Volkanovski. Stylistically, he has the kind of game that can disrupt the former champion’s rhythm. Still, this isn’t unfamiliar territory for Volkanovski.
Back-to-back losses might suggest a decline, but with “The Great,” it’s never that simple. Volkanovski has a proven ability to read opponents, make adjustments, and exploit even the smallest gaps in their game. And while Lopes is a serious threat, he’s not flawless. I have a feeling the Aussie will weather the early storm, make the right reads, and gradually start pulling ahead. If it goes into deep waters, I think that’s where Lopes starts to fade. (Prediction: Alexander Volkanovski)
Aakrit Sharma: This was the toughest pick to make on the UFC 314 card. My heart wants Volkanovski to win, but it is factually proven that fighters, especially in lower weight classes, show a significant decline in performance and durability after 34. Lopes is powerful, but his fight against Dan Ige proves that he’s not at all ready to face the former UFC featherweight champ. However, again, age is a primary concern here, and I’m skeptical about Volkanovski’s ability to calm the early storm as he used to do gracefully.
This is a five-round fight, and I believe that Lopes only has the first two rounds to win the title. If the fight goes on to the later rounds, even a washed-up Volkanovski should be able to manhandle the Brazilian. My pick, though, is Lopes winning the title early by knocking out one of the greatest featherweight fighters of all time. (Prediction: Diego Lopes)
Consensus: 2-2
That’ll do it for our UFC 314 staff picks! What do you think? Do your predictions look similar? Let us know in the comments section! Also, you can check out the full UFC 314 card below.
Main Card:
Featherweight Championship: Alexander Volkanovski vs. Diego Lopes
Lightweight: Michael Chandler vs. Paddy Pimblett
Featherweight: Bryce Mitchell vs. Jean Silva
Featherweight: Yair Rodriguez vs. Patricio Pitbull
Light Heavyweight: Nikita Krylov vs. Dominick Reyes
Preliminary Card:
Featherweight: Dan Ige vs. Sean Woodson
Women’s Strawweight: Yan Xiaonan vs. Virna Jandiroba
Lightweight: Jim Miller vs. Chase Hooper
Featherweight: Darren Elkins vs. Julian Erosa
Early Preliminary Card:
Middleweight: Sedriques Dumas vs. Michal Oleksiejczuk
Flyweight: Sumudaerji vs. Mitch Raposo
Middleweight: Tresean Gore vs. Marco Tulio
Women’s Bantamweight: Nora Cornolle vs. Hailey Cowan
Be sure to keep it right here on MMANews.com for all the results, highlights, and updates on UFC 314!
UFC featherweight contender Bryce Mitchell expects to make a mockery of the betting odds for his upcoming showdown with Jean Silva.
After going 2-2 across his last four fights, Mitchell has the chance to return to a winning streak this weekend when he squares off with Silva on the main card of the UFC 314 pay-per-view in Miami, Florida.
Plenty are expecting that to be an uphill task for “Thug Nasty,” however.
The controversial American is currently a +215 underdog on DraftKings, a betting line that Mitchell is excited to prove wrong come fight night inside the Kaseya Center.
“I believe so,” Bryce Mitchell said when asked by Mike Bohn at UFC 314 media day whether he’s being unfairly discounted. “This is a great time for all my friends to bet and make a tremendous amount of money off of me.
“Go ahead and bet the farm. This is the best odds I’ve had,” Mitchell added.
In Jean Silva, Bryce Mitchell is coming up against one of the standout members of the surging Fighting Nerds team. The Brazilian has won 12 fights on the bounce, including four consecutive knockouts in the UFC.
Bryce Mitchell is convinced that he and Jean Silva have been under the influence of a supernatural curse ever since their first encounter.
Mitchell is set to clash with Silva in a high-stakes featherweight showdown at UFC 314 on April 12, at the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida. The two fighters came face-to-face at the UFC 314 press conference earlier this month, where they exchanged fiery verbal jabs.
Bryce Mitchell, infamous for his outlandish statements and far-fetched conspiracy theories, has once again sparked intrigue with his latest claims.
On Monday, the 30-year-old Arkansas native took to Instagram, claiming that he has been struggling with sleepless nights as he battles what he believes to be a test of his character by the devil and his demons.
With his showdown against “Lord” fast approaching, Mitchell made an appeal to fellow Christians, asking for their prayers and spiritual support.
“Good morning, y’all. I need all my Christian warriors to pray for me that I will have peaceful sleep, Bryce Mitchell said. “Every single night since the day before the press conference, I’ve had demonic dreams. Legions of demons are attacking me every single time I sleep, and not one time have I seen any peaceful sleep since that day.
“These demons surround me, and they try to fight me and provoke me to anger, and then the dream will switch, and they’ll send beautiful women, and they’re trying to get me to lust, to cheat on my wife. Satan’s using two of my weaknesses to try to expose the evil in my own heart, which is anger and lust. However, where I am weak, the Lord is strong.”
“Thug Nasty” went on to assert that the very demons tormenting him have also possessed Silva, and he vowed to knock the evil out of his opponent when they clash on April 12.
“I’m not just fighting a man on April 12. I’m fighting a man possessed by a legion of demons. When I simply said the name Jesus, he was provoked to maliciousness, and he started barking like a dog and chanting ‘F**k you, f**k you, f**k you.’ Remember guys, the days of fighting for myself are long gone.
“I now fight for the name of the Lord and the devil, he ain’t gonna waste his time trying to plauge a loser. He knows that a victory for the Lord is at hand. I will win this fight in the name of Jesus Christ. The man’s demons will be casted out of my presence and he will fall before me just as Goliath fell before King David.”
Bryce Mitchell says he’s been having ‘demonic dreams’ since the #UFC314 press-conference, and believes Jean Silva is possessed by “a legion of demons” 😳
“When I said the name Jesus he was provoked to maliciousness, and he started barking like a dog.”
The active Brazilian got his wish to be the one with an opportunity to make Mitchell pay inside the cage for his recent pro-Nazi podcast remarks.
And while that controversy resulted in Silva leading “f*ck Bryce Mitchell” chants alongside the fans in attendance at Friday’s presser in Las Vegas, “Lord” also had another topic the American has frequently given his two cents on in mind.
The Fighting Nerds standout arrived with a globe, poking fun at “Thug Nasty’s” belief that the Earth is flat.
Things are getting interesting at this #UFC314 press conference 👀
The press conference came just over a month out from UFC 314, which goes down inside Miami’s Kaseya Center on April 12.
Silva and Mitchell’s battle makes up a stacked undercard, which will see the likes of Michael Chandler, Patricio Pitbull, Yan Xiaonan, and Carlos Prates set the stage for Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes’ championship headliner.
“Lord” is now 4-0 in the Octagon, with all of his wins in the UFC coming via knockout. He’ll hope to continue that trend at the expense of ranked opposition in Mitchell.
The announcement unsurprisingly drew reactions across the MMA community. From predictions either way to questions over the UFC awarding Mitchell a big fight on a prominent card in spite of his antisemitic remarks, plenty of takes appeared.
Jean has always been the most tolerable “fighting nerd”. I respect him for being open to fighting a grappler early in his UFC career unlike those other 2 punks Prates and Ruffy https://t.co/uX3yxYsZAj
Jean Silva becoming one of the biggest stars in the featherweight division has been an excellent development to 2025. I’ve felt a burnout with MMA lately, this has injected life back into my interest https://t.co/jHGNM3fX2L
I don't normally wish any fighter harm, but Mitchell? I wish him harm. I hope its swift, and the ref is a little extra slow in ending the fight. https://t.co/Ad0qJ98cK1
The matchup was booked amid a storm of controversy surrounding “Thug Nasty,” who recently faced backlash for making anti-Semitic remarks and openly praising Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler.
However, on Monday, Mitchell took to Instagram to reveal that he had decided to pull out of his scheduled showdown with Barzilay, citing a major UFC fight on the horizon.
“I wanna let y’all know I’m pulling outta my grappling match on Friday,” Mitchell said. “This is my first time announcing it. Karate Combat don’t even know yet. So I’m literally announcing it myself before I tell anybody. I don’t want my words to get twisted, and I don’t quite trust them with my words.
“Reason being is, the great news is I’ve got a big matchup coming up [in UFC], big fight coming up. I don’t know the exact details on the fight, but I’m just telling y’all, something’s coming up and please be patient with me. I wanna fight too, and I can’t wait for this next fight. I’m prioritizing the fight over a grappling match. It’s not worth it for me knowing I got a fight coming up now to do a grappling match on Friday.”
Mitchell is fresh off a third-round knockout win over Kron Gracie at UFC 310 in December. The 30-year-old Arkansas native has split his last four fights, going 2-2, and holds a professional record of 17-3, with nine of those victories secured via submission.
The featherweight overwhelmed Baghdasaryan with a flurry of punches and elbows, securing a brutal stoppage that had the crowd roaring. But Silva wasn’t done making waves. In his post-fight interview with Michael Bisping, he wasted no time calling out his next target: Bryce Mitchell.
Silva’s challenge to Mitchell wasn’t just about climbing the rankings — it was personal. He explicitly cited “Thug Nasty’s” controversial remarks, particularly his comments about Adolf Hitler, as a key motivation behind his callout.
“I think Bryce Mitchell is someone that would offer me an opportunity to get a very good renewed contract if I beat him,” Silva said. “Also, he’s a guy that fought Ilia [Topuria] and took him to the brink. As for everything else, there are things you cannot tolerate, especially when you’re a public persona.”
Mitchell infamously referred to Hitler as a “good guy” and suggested he would “want to go fishing” with him, remarks that were widely condemned. Silva made it clear that he wants to silence the grappling specialist in the octagon.
It didn’t take long for Mitchell to fire back. The Arkansas native, known for his outspoken nature, responded swiftly on social media.
“There’s only one LORD and it ain’t u fool,” Mitchell wrote. “U need a country ass whoopin’. It will humble u just right.”
Theres only one LORD. and it aint u fool
u needa country ass whoopin. it will humble u just rite
The brewing feud between Silva and Mitchell quickly caught the attention of fight fans, with many eager to see them settle their differences in the cage.
When asked about the potential matchup, UFC CEO Dana White responded with a knowing laugh.
“I bet there’s a lot of people [that want to see that fight],” White said. “I don’t know. We’ll see.”
With Silva eager to make a statement and Mitchell always ready for a scrap, the stage is set for a highly anticipated showdown—if the UFC decides to book it.
Bryce Mitchell is set to return to action after stirring up controversy just weeks ago — but this time, it won’t be inside the Octagon.
Mitchell, known for his outspoken and often controversial views, faced intense backlash last month after making anti-Semitic comments on his newly launched ArkanSanity podcast, where he shockingly spoke favorably of Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler.
Now, Mitchell has signed on for a 180-pound catchweight Pit Submission (grappling) showdown against Ilay Barzilay at Karate Combat 53. The promotion announced on Thursday that the event is set to take place on Feb. 28 in Denver, Colorado.
“Thug Nasty” last competed at UFC 310 in December, where he secured a third-round knockout victory over Kron Gracie. Mitchell has gone 2-2 in his last four bouts and currently boasts a professional record of 17-3, with nine of those wins coming by submission.
Meanwhile, his opponent, Barzilay, remains unbeaten with a perfect 6-0 record, having competed primarily under the LFA banner. “The Hype is Real” is coming off a dominant unanimous decision victory over Kohl Laren in December.
Interestingly, hailing from a Jewish background, Israel’s Barzilay was among those who fiercely criticized Mitchell for his Hitler-sympathizing remarks. He even went a step further, warning of serious consequences if the two ever crossed paths.
Dana White has reiterated his stance on free speech following Bryce Mitchell’s controversial podcast comments, in which the UFC featherweight praised Adolf Hitler and denied the Holocaust.
Speaking to Piers Morgan, White made it clear that while he finds Mitchell’s views abhorrent, he stands by the principle of free speech.
“What I said was, what he said was disgusting,” White stated. “You have to be an absolute moron to think that Adolf Hitler was a good guy. You look at World War II and how many people were killed, how many civilians were killed because of Adolf Hitler. The fact that he tried to annihilate an entire group of people is disgusting for anybody to speak remotely good about Hitler. But I do believe in free speech, and even though I don’t like what he said, and even though what he said makes me sick, free speech is real. It lives and exists, and we have to protect free speech.”
White emphasized that free speech is a core principle within the UFC, which manages a roster of hundreds of fighters. According to him, free speech cannot be applied selectively.
“I think probably the most important free speech to protect is hate speech,” White said. “Because when a government or a certain person can come out and determine, ‘This is hate speech,’ it’s a very slippery slope, and it’s dangerous, in my opinion. Listen, I’m American. I was born and grew up in America. I believe in the American dream, I believe in free speech, I believe in all these things. You can’t just say it and not live it.”
White’s stance on free speech has come under fire due to past instances of media members being denied credentials to cover events due to their coverage of the promotion.
The UFC CEO made it clear that UFC fighters are not subject to termination, fines, or other forms of punishment based solely on their speech — no matter how offensive it may be.
“You’ve got guys that pop up like Bryce Mitchell that say ignorant, stupid things, and I will exercise my right to free speech and say I don’t agree with what he said,” White said. “But he can say what he wants to say. We don’t have to agree with it or believe in what he says, but he has the right to say it. It’s the disgusting, despicable things like what he said that truly define what free speech is.”
Bryce Mitchell has released a statement in response to the massive backlash he has received in the wake of pro-Adolf Hitler comments he made on a podcast.
In the first episode of his new podcast, ArkanSanity, Mitchell appeared to defend Hitler, the dictator and leader of Germany under Nazi rule. The UFC featherweight claimed that while Hitler wasn’t “perfect,” he was “a good guy.”
“I honestly think Hitler was a good guy, based upon my own research, not my public education and indoctrination,” Mitchell said. “He fought for his country, he wanted to purify it by kicking the greedy Jews out who were destroying his country and turning them all into gays. Was Hitler perfect? No, but he was fighting for his people. He wanted a pure nation.”
After significant backlash, Mitchell took to Instagram Saturday, attempting to walk back elements of his remarks.
“I’m sorry I sounded insensitive,” Mitchell said in the statement, released on his Instagram account. “I definitely was not trying to offend anybody, but I know I did. I know that a lot of people died in the Holocaust, and that’s a fact. Hitler did a lot of evil things, I think we can all agree on that. I’m definitely not a nazi, and definitely do not condone any of the evil things he did.”
Mitchell added in the post’s description that, [sic] “in the future i will b much more considerate wen talkin about the suffering of all peoples.”
Mitchell’s original comments, in spite of the apology released today, also had him claiming that the Holocaust was not real, stating “there’s no possible way they could’ve burned and cremated 6 million bodies…” and putting the blame for its existence on the public education system.
Another UFC star, Conor McGregor, would come under fire mere hours later for a profanity-laced rant filled with ethnic and racial slurs fired against Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Bryce Mitchell is unlikely to avoid the long-lasting consequences of his anti-Semitic comments, or so predicts a UFC insider.
Mitchell, notorious for regularly making bizarre statements that even the most sensible would reject, coupled with his promotion of numerous conspiracy theories that defy scientific logic, has once again raised eyebrows with his latest remarks.
During the first episode of his freshly launched ArkanSanity Podcast, “Thug Nasty” stunned listeners with a striking rant, oddly praising Adolf Hitler as a “good guy,” and going on to reject the Holocaust as a fabricated event in history.
UFC fighter ‘Bryce Mitchell’ is UNDER FIRE after stating he thinks H*tler was a good guy.. 😳
“He fought for his country, he wanted to purify it by kicking the greedy jews out that were destroying his country that were turning them all into gays” pic.twitter.com/Xzo2TSYElP
UFC CEO Dana White wasted no time responding to Mitchell’s shocking comments during the post-event press conference for Power Slap on Thursday. The UFC head honcho expressed his outrage, calling Mitchell’s statements “probably the worst” viewpoint he had ever come across.
However, despite the UFC refraining from issuing a formal action against Mitchell, Chael Sonnen is convinced that the polarizing fighter will still face significant consequences down the line.
During a recent interview with MMA Junkie, Sonnen predicted that Mitchell would suffer a financial setback for expressing his sympathy toward the Nazi dictator, suggesting that the fallout would likely cost him valuable sponsorships.
“Please understand, there’s a checks and balances for these guys that run their mouth or say something bad or say something that’s really offensive,” Sonnen said. “There’s other things you can do, there’s checks and balances. Mark my words, he’s having calls from whatever sponsors he’s got, he doesn’t have them anymore. In the best case scenario, they all got frozen – in a best case scenario.”
The former UFC fighter-turned-analyst further warned that the 30-year-old Arkansas native that the repercussions would extend beyond the public eye.
“Now, the audience is going to look at him different. Those things don’t go away. To pretend that there’s not a punishment, is not true… There’s criminals out there, but some of them jaywalk, and some of them rob a bank. There’s different levels, and there’s checks and balances for all of them. So please, let’s not pretend that Bryce has got away with something here. He most definitely did not.”
Dana White is having none of the nonsense Bryce Mitchell recently spewed.
Mitchell has carved out a unique reputation in the MMA world as a staunch advocate for a variety of conspiracy theories, often voicing such outlandish opinions that even the most rational minds wouldn’t entertain.
This time, however, the UFC featherweight fighter surpassed all bounds of utter absurdity during the debut episode of his ArkanSanity Podcast. Mitchell unleashed a shocking Adolf Hitler diatribe, bizarrely praising the Nazi dictator as a well-meaning figure with noble intentions.
“I really don’t think that he was, because I honestly think that Hitler was a good guy based upon my own research, not my public education indoctrination,” Mitchell said. “I really do think before Hitler got on meth, he was a guy I’d go fishing with. He fought for his country.”
Active UFC fighter Bryce Mitchell:
"I honestly think that Hitler was a good guy"
"He wanted to purify [Germany] by kicking the greedy Jews out that were destroying his country and turning them all into gays … didn't want a bunch of q*eers destroying his nation" https://t.co/PdhZNtcjVLpic.twitter.com/9eiPdm6hC7
During the post-event press conference for Power Slap on Thursday, White castigated Mitchell’s outrageous remarks.
The UFC CEO vehemently blasted the 30-year-old Arkansas native, calling it the most idiotic opinion he had ever encountered.
“I’ve heard a lot of dumb, ignorant sh*t in my day, but this one is probably the worst,” White said. “Second of all, Hitler is one of the most disgusting and evil human beings to ever walk the earth, and anyone who even tries to take an opposing position is a moron. That’s a problem with the Internet — and social media. You provide a platform for a lot of dumb, ignorant people. We’ve obviously reached out to Bryce and when we read what he said and let him know how we feel about it … we’re beyond disgusted.”
Despite mounting calls from the MMA community to axe out Mitchell from the UFC, White further stated that “Thug Nasty” wouldn’t face any disciplinary action or be released from the promotion.
“That’s what everybody wants to hear about, punishment. It’s free speech, I don’t have to love it, you don’t have to love it… That’s the beautiful thing about this business, for all of you who hate Bryce Mitchell, you get to see him hopefully get his a** whooped on global television. What do you want me to say about it? You know where I am with free speech. We’re disgusted by it.”
One of the stand out performances from UFC 310 this past weekend came from Dooho Choi in the main card opener. “The Korean Superboy” produced his best performance to date inside the Octagon with a dominant victory against Nate Landwehr.
His boxing was incredibly effective early on and after implementing his grappling, Choi was able to shut Landwehr out before capping off his performance with a TKO finish in the third round from the crucifix position. Having earned back-to-back wins inside the Octagon in 2024 for the first time since 2016, the Korean stand out is well and truly back in the mix at 145-pounds.
In his post-fight interview, Choi called out a fellow featherweight who would be competing in the very next bout on the card. After Bryce Mitchell finished Kron Gracie to return to the win column, the 33-year old posted the following message on Instagram, making reference to Mitchell’s opinions on the earth being flat.
Fight fans reacted on social media to this creative callout that went above and beyond the usual post-fight interview question that was poised by Joe Rogan at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
“my new favourite ufc call out, Doo Hoo Choi calls out Bruce Mitchell”
Bryce Mitchell returned to the win column at UFC 310 by becoming the first man to finish Kron Gracie in MMA.
There was a fair amount of criticism for this fight and its main card placement. For the most part, it was as strange as expected.
Similar to his last Octagon appearance in 2023, in which he was convincingly beaten by Charles Jourdain, Gracie’s strategy appeared to be pulling guard in order to work off of his back. Aside from one submission attempt, he wasn’t able to offer any offense. And without a backup plan, the fight was one-way traffic with Mitchell remaining in control throughout.
In the third round, “Thug Nasty” put a stamp on his performance by capitalizing on his opponent’s gameplan. As Gracie looked to pull guard, Mitchell went with him and slammed him into the canvas, landing multiple devastating elbows to get the stoppage and handing his opponent a third consecutive loss inside the Octagon.
In his post-fight interview, Mitchell showed respect to Gracie for the impact that his family had on the sport in the early days, as well as apologizing to Joe Rogan for calling him stupid in the past.
Watch the highlight reel finish that closed the show below:
MMA News has you covered with this week’s UFC matchmaking bulletin, featuring all the additions to upcoming fight cards.
With events being held most weekends, Mick Maynard and Sean Shelby have their matchmaking work cut out if they’re to fill them, meaning new bouts are confirmed each and every week.
Between Monday, November 10, and Sunday, November 17, a number of fights were made official by the UFC or reported by reputable sources. For those matchups, check out the list below:
Movsar Evloev is in need of a new opponent, and Bryce Mitchell may be willing to step up.
The Russian was scheduled to face former UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling in a battle of featherweight contenders at UFC 307 on Oct. 5 in Salt Lake City.
Sterling, however, was recently announced to be out of UFC 307 due to an injury. The UFC is intending to keep Evloev on the card as long as they can find a short-notice opponent.
Mitchell appears to be willing to fulfill that role, throwing his name into the hat in a recent video interview with The Schmo.
That said, he would take the fight if it could be delayed until right before the end of the year.
Bryce Mitchell Says If He Gets Two Months, He’ll Step Up Against Movsar Evloev
“[I heard Sterling] hurt his elbow,” Mitchell said. “You know what happened last time I took one on short notice. It was ugly. I’m wise enough to respect that I need a little bit more training. I want that fight. Give me two months, I’m down. That’s all I need. Two months. And I think that’s fair to ask.
“And if he really wants that fight, two months is not that long of a wait for what they’re paying him. He can survive two more months without a paycheck. I think he should fight me in two months.”
Mitchell, however, also did note that he wouldn’t want to take the fight from Sterling if he still wanted it — attesting to he and “Funk Master” being good friends.
Mitchell’s most recent fight was also a short-notice bout, one that did not end particularly well for “Thug Nasty.” Stepping up on late notice against Josh Emmett at UFC 296, Mitchell was brutally knocked out in what was a late Knockout of the Year contender.
After starting his career 15-0, the Arkansas native has lost two of his last three.
Evloev, meanwhile, is undefeated at 18-0. He was most recently in action at January’s UFC 297, defeating Arnold Allen.
And in the aftermath of UFC Fight Night: Gilbert Burns vs. Sean Brady, MMA News has you covered with this week’s updates to the official UFC rankings.
Men’s Pound-For-Pound: Israel Adesanya has found himself off the P4P list for the first time in years. Weeks on from his failed bid to achieve three-time champ status against middleweight kinpgin Dricus Du Plessis, “The Last Stylebender” has lost his #15 spot to former bantamweight titleholder Aljamain Sterling.
Women’s Pound-for-Pound: Natália Silva’s triumph over Jéssica Andrade on Saturday was enough to elevate her into the female P4P discussion. She’s debuted in the rankings at #14, leading to Ketlen Vieira falling out entirely. Above her, Andrade has slipped by two positions to #13, providing small boosts for Kayla Harrison (#11) and Virna Jandiroba (#12).
At #UFCVegas97, Natalia Silva extended her win streak to 6 🔥
Women’s Flyweight: As expected, Silva has slotted in one place outside the top five at 125 pounds, occupying Andrade’s previous position. That’s left the former strawweight queen two spots worse off at #8.
Women’s Bantamweight: After Pannie Kianzad parted ways with the UFC, she’s been removed from the 135-pound rankings. Her vacant spot has been filled by Ailín Pérez (#15). Further up, Norma Dumont (#8) has moved above her fellow countrywoman Karol Rosa (#9).
Flyweight: While he hung up his gloves this past weekend, Matt Schnell has remained ranked for the time being. His loss to Cody Durden has seen him fall three places to #13, with his victorious opponent up two spots to #12.
Bantamweight: No changes.
Featherweight: Bizarrely, the surging Diego Lopes has fallen at 145 pounds just days out from his showdown with Brian Ortega at Noche UFC. Previously ranked #12, the Mexico-based Brazilian has dropped one place behind Bryce Mitchell. That’s despite the Arkansas native not being in action since a brutal knockout loss to Josh Emmett last December.
Lightweight: No changes.
Welterweight: Sean Brady is within touching distance of the top five at 170 pounds following his main event win over Gilbert Burns. While he’s risen to #6, “Durinho” has fallen to #8. Lower down, Kevin Holland has returned to the rankings at #15, a spot he shares with Neil Magny. That’s despite “Trailblazer” being scheduled to stay at middleweight for the time being.
Last week, UFC featherweight Bryce Mitchell appeared on Fox News. In a free-wheeling interview with Tucker Carlson, the 27-year-old opined on a number of conservative talking points, ranging from his refusal to fight in foreign wars, to the illegitimacy of the US Federal Reserve, before delivering an ominous warning to viewers at home.
“Evil has took over this nation and we ain’t afraid of it. And we’re ready to fight,” declared the Arkansas native.
Such sentiment no doubt fell on sympathetic ears among Fox News’ staunchly conservative viewers, and perhaps, many MMA fans, too. But for some, ‘Thug Nasty’s’ appearance on the network seems to highlight a glaring double standard when it comes to athletes speaking out on political issues.
Fox News is, after all, a network that demanded Lebron James ‘shut up and dribble’ after it deemed the Lakers star guilty of “talking politics” during a 2018 interview with ESPN. Mitchell, who in media appearances leading up to his Fox News interview committed that same supposed sin of mixing politics and sport, not only failed to incur the network’s righteous anger but was invited onto its airwaves for a soft-ball, primetime interview.
This double standard, it seems, has also played out within the MMA community, as scores of fans rallied to Mitchell’s defense in recent weeks. His statements, no matter how outrageous, are a righteous expression of free speech, they’ve argued.
But is this same right to free speech afforded to fighters with whom fans may not agree with? When fighters voice political beliefs considered left of the aisle, do fans defend their right to do so under the guise of free speech, or are they told to shut up and fight?
The Free Speech Absolutism Of The UFC
MMA prides itself as one of the last bastions of free speech in what many consider an increasingly censorious national discourse. No more is this ideal present than in the UFC, where controversial opinions that attract censure or punitive repercussions in other sports routinely take safe haven.
“In this insanely politically correct world we’re living in, this is one place that is not,” UFC President Dana White said of his promotion last year.
PHOTO: GETTY
Mitchell is just the latest in a long line of UFC fighters to thoroughly test his employer’s commitment to free speech. In Mitchell’s defense, some of his statements have simply been the declaration of legitimate, albeit fringe conservative beliefs. Others, however, like Mitchell’s claim that the 2017 Las Vegas shooting was staged by the US government, were in the realm of Alex Jonesian lunacy.
The UFC, of course, didn’t censor nor rebuke Mitchell for his more controversial, and to some, offensive claims. And true to the promotion’s commitment to free speech, it has historically afforded the same liberty to those fighters who espouse causes and beliefs on the other end of the political spectrum. But can the same be said for fight fans?
When Tyron Woodley Turned Political Activist
At the pre-fight press conference of his 2020 bout with Colby Covington, Tyron Woodley decided to make what some in the MMA world considered a controversial political statement. Wearing a Trump-inspired cap that read “Make Racists Catch The Fade Again,” the former welterweight champ answered every question with some variation of “because black lives matter.”
Woodley in this case, much like Mitchell has in recent weeks, used his platform as a sportsperson to voice his political beliefs. But unlike Mitchell, or Donald Trump supporting Covington, the former welterweight champ was excoriated online for unashamedly mixing politics with sport. Calls for Woodley to simply ‘shut up and fight’ were many, and those defending his right to express his political beliefs under the guise of free speech—like in the case of Mitchell—were few.
I wonder why the same people don't tell @ColbyCovMMA to keep politics out of sports?!#BLM 🤔🤔🤔
Unlike more mainstream sports, whose governing bodies and, to an extent, fans, display a left-of-center bias, MMA generally skews toward the right. And there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that. Conservative opinions, in the marketplace of ideas, are as legitimate as progressive ones.
But if MMA fans pride themselves as fierce defenders of free speech—a right exalted in mostly conservative circles—then surely this ideal must be consistently applied to all fighters, regardless of their political persuasion.
Perhaps the words of Mitchell, as spoken during his recent Fox News interview, ring true for any fighter who enters the realm of political debate—no matter where they sit on the political spectrum.
“For me to be able to talk about something greater than fighting is more purposeful than anything I can talk about related to fighting,” Mitchell said. “And so I’m grateful to be able to do that. And a lot of people say, ‘Shut up and fight.’ Well, you know what? If you don’t want to hear that shit, turn off the TV and watch the fight. You don’t have to watch my interviews. Turn them off then.”
Bryce Mitchell (Image Credit: Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)
