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Bryce Mitchell is tired of getting knocked around by bigger and stronger opponents.
That’s why “Thug Nasty” is dropping to bantamweight for his UFC Abu Dhabi return against Said Nurmagomedov on Sat., July 26, 2025 inside Etihad Arena on Fight Island. For Mitchell, losing to Jean Silva at UFC 314 was the straw the broke the camel’s back.
The lesson learned? Lose weight, not teeth.
“I pretty much made up my mind right after this last fight,” Mitchell, 30, told Home of Fight. “The guy was so much bigger than me, and I really felt it in the second round. In the first round, obviously I could tell he was bigger and stronger, but it was really in the second round where I felt it. I think that I’m a ‘35er, my weight’s already come down quite a bit since I started dieting. I got this call two weeks ago, I think. So, I’m excited about it. Everything’s going good.”
He still has over a month to cut weight (like a man).
Mitchell (17-3) may be jumping out of the frying pan and into the fire. The 33 year-old Nurmagomedov (18-4) has secured finishes in five of his last six victories and is coming off two bonus-winning performances at UFC 294 and UFC Saudi Arabia.
To see who else is fighting at UFC Abu Dhabi next month on ABC click here.
