Bryce Mitchell proved at UFC 272 that he is well on his way to being one of the best fighters in the Featherweight division. Mitchell stepped in the cage and put on a great performance against Edson Barboza. He smothered Barboza much like Khabib did when he faced Barboza in 2017. Mitchell’s ground work is top level and it would be interesting to see him take on someone who’s just as good as him on the ground or a pure striker. Mitchell is exciting to watch and he wears many hats including fighter, farmer, and gun advocate. Mitchell is also a rapper and is skilled in academics earning a degree in economics from Harding University.
Mitchell was born October 4, 1994 Cabot, Arkansas. Growing up he didn’t know his father and was raised primarily by his mother. Mitchell went to Cabot High School where he played basketball and wrestled. Mitchell would place second at the 7A state championships as a junior and fourth at the 6A state championships as a senior. After graduating he’d move to Searcy, Arkansas where he’d go to college and get his degree. He’d eventually start training MMA in Searcy out of Barata MMA. He’d earn his Black Belt in Jiu Jitsu here and would start competing in armature MMA where he held an impressive 5-1 record.
Mitchell would make his professional debut in January 2015 when he faced off against Sheldon Smith. Mitchell would secure his professional win via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke.)Mitchell would then face Jesse Sanderson in May of that year again winning by Submission (Rear-Naked Choke.) Mitchell’s next opponent would be Tony Williams, and no surprise he’d win this again by Submission (Rear-Naked Choke.) He’d then face Chris Culley winning by Submission (Armbar.) Jorge Medina would be next for Mitchell in the World Series Of Fighting promotion; he’d get the victory via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke.) He’d win his next four fights before getting the call to compete on the Ultimate Fighter.
Mitchell would appear on the Ultimate Fighter: Undefeated. On the show he’d win his first bout against castmate Jay Cucciniello before getting knocked out of the show with a loss to Brad Katona. Mitchell faced Tyler Diamond on July 6, 2018 in his UFC debut he’d win by Majority Decision. He’d then face Bobby Moffett in his next outing winning the contest by Unanimous Decision. Matt Sayles would be next for Mitchell, Mitchell would get the victory with an impressive and rare Twister Submission. He’d then fight Charles Rosa and Andre Fili in his next two contests winning both by unanimous decision. He’d then face MMA veteran Edson Barboza in his second most impressive outing, smothering the Brazilian fighter for three whole rounds.
Mitchell has a lot of hype behind him for good reason, his grappling is next level and it’d be interesting to see him face off against a fighter of higher rank like Calvin Kattar or Giga Chikadze.
MMA Aficionado 