TJ Brown expects Bryce Mitchell to have career resurgence at bantamweight
Mitchell (17-3 MMA, 8-3 UFC) takes on Said Nurmagomedov (18-4 MMA, 7-3 UFC) in a bantamweight bout on Saturday's main card (ABC, ESPN, ESPN+) at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.
Mitchell says his submission loss to Jean Silva at UFC 314 was a wakeup call, and Brown agrees.
"I think personally he's always been a '35'er," Brown told MMA Junkie. "His last couple of fights, I think these guys, he got in there and realized they were way bigger than he's used to fighting. So, I think '35 is going to be a great move, and it's almost like his resurgence. I think it's going to be a great comeback fight, and we're looking forward to it."
Most of Nurmagomedov's finishes have come by submission, but Brown expects Mitchell to have a big advantage on the ground.
"Said is a great kicker," Brown said. "He does a great job at range, but stylistically, I think this is a great fight for us. Bryce puts him on his back, and we're right where we want to be. I think he's a good fighter, all respect to him, but I think there's levels to it, and Bryce is a world-class grappler."
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