Bryce Mitchell Drops to Bantamweight: Set to Face Said Nurmagomedov

By Ali Hammad June 05, 2025 09:17

In a surprising career move, UFC featherweight contender Bryce "Thug Nasty" Mitchell is set to make his bantamweight debut against Said Nurmagomedov at UFC Abu Dhabi on July 26, 2025. This shift marks a significant change for Mitchell, who has struggled to regain momentum in the featherweight division after a series of tough losses.

Mitchell, once undefeated and regarded as a top featherweight prospect, has seen his trajectory falter over the past few years. His recent record includes three losses in his last five fights, with setbacks against Ilia Topuria, Josh Emmett, and most recently Jean Silva, who submitted him with a guillotine choke at UFC 314 in April 2025. These defeats have stalled his title ambitions at 145 pounds, prompting the 28-year-old American to cut an additional 10 pounds to compete at 135 pounds.

The decision to drop to bantamweight has been met with mixed reactions from fans and analysts alike. Some view the move as a necessary step for Mitchell, who was often undersized in the featherweight division. As one Reddit user noted, "He was super tiny in FW. He wasn’t gonna wrestlefuck any ranked guys at that weight class. This is his last chance at any sort of success, but he also shoulda done this awhile ago". Others express concern about the challenges of the weight cut and the quality of competition in the bantamweight division, which is known for its depth and speed.

Mitchell’s upcoming opponent, Said Nurmagomedov, is a formidable grappler with a four-fight winning streak that was recently interrupted by two losses in his last three bouts. Nurmagomedov, unrelated to the famous Khabib Nurmagomedov, was last defeated by Vinicius Oliveira via decision at UFC Saudi Arabia in February 2025. The matchup promises to be a compelling grappling contest, given both fighters’ submission skills. Nurmagomedov’s guillotine choke expertise poses a particular threat, especially considering Mitchell’s recent submission loss.

Statistically, Mitchell’s UFC record stands at 17 wins and 4 losses, with a fighting style heavily reliant on wrestling and submissions. His average takedowns landed per 15 minutes and submission attempts reflect his grappling-centric approach, but his striking defense and cardio have been questioned following recent performances. Fans on social media have debated whether Mitchell’s team and training partners are adequate for the level of competition he faces, with some arguing he needs better sparring partners to elevate his game.

Mitchell’s move to bantamweight shifts his potential title target from featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski to bantamweight kingpin Merab Dvalishvili, who is scheduled to defend his belt against Sean O’Malley at UFC 316. This realignment could open new opportunities for Mitchell to climb the ranks if he adapts well to the new division.

In his own words, Mitchell has expressed determination to revitalize his career: "I’m ready to make this change and prove that I belong at bantamweight. It’s about finding the right balance and showing the fans what ‘Thug Nasty’ is really made of". The fight against Nurmagomedov will be a crucial test of this new chapter.

As the UFC Abu Dhabi event approaches, all eyes will be on Bryce Mitchell to see if this weight class change can reignite his career and restore his status as a top contender. The bout promises to be an intriguing clash of grappling prowess and resilience, with significant implications for both fighters’ futures in the UFC.