Latest news with #ThugNasty
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Bryce Mitchell open to 'damn good fight' vs. Umar Nurmagomedov after UFC on ABC 9 win
ABU DHABI – Bryce Mitchell is ready to challenge himself after a successful return to bantamweight. Mitchell (18-3 MMA, 9-3 UFC) rallied from an early knockdown to outgrapple Said Nurmagomedov in Saturday's UFC on ABC 9 featured prelim at Etihad Arena. "Thug Nasty" admitted that Nurmagomedov (18-5 MMA, 7-4 UFC) gave him all he could handle. "I mean, I didn't expect to be in that much pain, to be honest," Mitchell told MMA Junkie and other reporters during a post-fight news conference. "I knew it was going to be hard, but I didn't think it was going to be that hard, to be honest. He's tougher than I thought. Like everything in my body hurts." Mitchell doubts he has any serious injuries, but went as far as calling Nurmagomedov one of his hardest fights. "I think that I have better cardio at '35, and that was a really, really hard fight," Mitchell said. "I think he was tired, too. He hurt me real bad in the first round, but I don't even remember half of the first round. If you take away that one shot, maybe I wouldn't be as jacked up as I am, I don't know. But, it was a really, really hard fight. I wish it would have been more exciting for the fans, but I was just fighting for my life. I really was praying during the fight. "Like, Jesus just keep me alive because the fight felt like death. I remember fighting for air, I remember getting hit and seeing lights, and I remember coach telling me in between rounds, 'You can do this,' and it was a really, really hard fight. I was literally praying, 'Jesus just please keep me alive,' and I was fighting with all my strength. Afterwards, I was overheated. I could barely move. I was so hot, and it was hard to breathe after the fight." So, how about taking on another Nurmagomedov in Umar Nurmagomedov? Even though Said and Umar are not related, Mitchell embraced the challenge when the suggestion was thrown his way. "I think that would be a pretty damn good fight," Mitchell said. "Hell, why not? I already fought one of them, let's just fight all the Nurmagomedovs that there is." This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: UFC Abu Dhabi: Bryce Mitchell open to Umar Nurmagomedov fight next
Yahoo
18-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Bryce Mitchell says Ilia Topuria loss still makes him mad, but success 'well deserved'
ABU DHABI – Bryce Mitchell is still not over his loss to UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria. Mitchell (17-3 MMA, 8-3 UFC) was submitted by Topuria in their featherweight bout at UFC 282 in December 2022. Mitchell later revealed that he was battling the flu, and unable to perform to the best of his ability. "The Ilia fight, that's the one fight that still just makes me mad to this day," Mitchell told MMA Junkie. "But you live and you learn, and there's nothing I can do about it except do my best this next fight." Both fighters have since switched weight classes, with Mitchell dropping down to bantamweight, and Topuria (17-0 MMA, 9-0 UFC) moving up to lightweight. Topuria claimed the vacant 155-pound belt by knocking out Charles Oliveira at UFC 317. "I think that it's well deserved," Mitchell said of Topuria's success. "I don't have any ill-will towards him, I just don't like him because he called me a coward, and I'm not a coward. He is a liar because he called me a coward. I proved that I'm not a coward. "I fought the man, and I'll fight him again. I'm not a coward. He did whoop me, but I'm not a coward. A coward is someone who doesn't show up to fight. He's a liar because he called me a coward. I don't like him, probably never will, but I also don't wish any harm upon him." Mitchell was able to test Topuria's grappling a bit by taking him down once in their fight, and controlling him for over a minute. "Thug Nasty" is adamant that he could get the best of Topuria, but knows a rematch isn't realistic at this point. "I'm better at it than he is," Mitchell said of Topuria's grappling. "I wish I could get that rematch. Obviously, I don't deserve it, but I think that I can beat him. I know I can, but I'll never get to prove that to the world, but that's OK. Not everything happens the way that you want it." Mitchell makes his bantamweight debut in the octagon when he takes on Said Nurmagomedov (18-4 MMA, 7-3 UFC) at UFC on ABC 9 (ABC, ESPN, ESPN+) on July 26 from Etihad Arena. This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Bryce Mitchell reflects on loss to UFC champion Ilia Topuria
Yahoo
08-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Bryce Mitchell Set to Face Said Nurmagomedov at UFC Abu Dhabi After Recent Loss
Bryce Mitchell Set to Face Said Nurmagomedov at UFC Abu Dhabi After Recent Loss originally appeared on Athlon Sports. There's nothing quite like a UFC comeback. Fighters returning from defeat often do so with renewed focus, altered strategies, and something to prove. A recent announcement signals that one of the promotion's most divisive personalities is back—and this time, he's cutting down a division in search of redemption. Advertisement Bryce Mitchell, 30, also known as 'Thug Nasty,' last seen inside the Octagon suffering a second-round guillotine choke loss to the undefeated Jean Silva at UFC 314. That April bout marked Mitchell's second loss in his last three appearances, raising questions about his trajectory in the featherweight division. According to Red Corner MMA, Mitchell is officially booked to return at UFC Fight Night: Abu Dhabi on July 26, where he'll make his bantamweight debut against Said Nurmagomedov. The move to 135 pounds is Mitchell's first major shift since joining the UFC, signaling a possible reinvention after years of grappling-heavy clashes at featherweight. Mitchell is as unpredictable outside the cage as he is inside it. One minute he's dropping conspiracy theories on cable news, the next he's submitting people with a twister. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)(Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC) Whether it's his outspoken political views, viral post-fight rants, or signature wardrobe choices, he's carved out a lane as one of the UFC's most controversial and talked-about fighters. Meanwhile, Nurmagomedov—a slick striker from Dagestan—is also looking to rebound after a decision loss to Vinicius Oliveira in February. With both men entering on a skid, the stakes feel amplified. UFC CEO Dana WhitePhoto by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC UFC President Dana White and the promotion are still piecing together the Abu Dhabi card, but this matchup adds intrigue and personality to an already anticipated Fight Night. It will be interesting to see if Mitchell can bounce back and settle in at this new weight class, especially with a dangerous opponent like Nurmagomedov standing in his way. A strong showing could open the door for fresh matchups and a revitalized run in a division loaded with talent. Advertisement Related: Tom Aspinall Reveals Major Update Ahead of UFC Return Related: 'I'll Be Ready' UFC Contender Offers to Back Up Topuria vs Oliveira at UFC 317 This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 4, 2025, where it first appeared.
