Bryce Mitchell finally got his camo shorts at UFC Vegas 12. The Arkansas fighter had long campaigned for Reebok to make him camo fight shorts, and finally, they granted his wish. He also got a tough test against featherweight staple Andre Fili.
Camo shorts acquired 🌾 #UFCVegas12 pic.twitter.com/mOtydHiqxC
— UFC (@ufc) November 1, 2020
Fili no doubt was a test for where Mitchell stands in the division. Make no mistake. He came out with the jab, and Mitchell fired off a pair of kicks. Fili pushed forward but Mitchell shot in and got the take down. Fili defended well but Mitchell stuck with it and finally brought Fili to the mat. That was a sign of things to come — Mitchell would set a personal best for takedowns on the night.
Mitchell worked from top and Fili looked to escape, but Mitchell stayed a step ahead of him and worked into half guard. Fili exploded back to his feet, something he’d do several times as the bout progressed, and Mitchell stuck with him; again he brought Fili to the mat and worked from inside his guard. Mitchell moved to side control then knee on belly, Fili exploded to escape only for Mitchell to take him back to the mat. This time landing in mount. Mitchell picked his shots and defended multiple escape attempts from Fili. Fili swept and escaped back to his feet, but Mitchell moved forward for another take down. Fili threw out a knee to the body that was caught by Mitchell and used it to take Fili to the ground again just before the horn to end the round.
Fili came out quick in the second, and Mitchell landed a body kick followed by a hard right hand. The second frame saw Fili have more success avoiding the takedown, at least early. Fili caught Mitchell with a flying knee that backed his opponent up Mitchell, and shifted momentum as Fili now pushed the action. The 26-year old Mitchell recovered quickly however, proving he could handle himself under fire. Mitchell rushed forward for the take down, but Fili again defended and worked free.
The stand-up battle continued until Mitchell was finally able to clinch, locked his hands and powered Fili to the mat. Mitchell was now in half guard, then worked to take mount while Fili used the cage to defend. Mitchell recognized this and changed position to cut him off. Mitchell looked for the elbows but Fili kicked off of the cage and rolled free. Back on the feet Fili engaged, landing a hard punch that sent the mouth piece of Mitchell flying to the ground. Mitchell shot in but Fili threw him off and to the mat as the buzzer sounded.
In the third, Fili came out and looked to land a pair of combinations, but Mitchell countered with the right then landed the take down and worked from inside the guard of Fili. From guard Mitchell tried to open Fili up with shots to his body and head. Fili defended and Mitchell settled back into the guard before Fili was able to work to his feet for a moment, but again Mitchell took him to the mat. Fili exploded and swept Mitchell, resulting in Fili working from the top. He landed a hard punch before getting back to his feet. Mitchell followed and again quickly secured the take down, settling into Fili’s guard. Fili would briefly make it back to his feet only to be taken back down one last time.
Bryce Mitchell suggested that he was somewhat unhappy with his performance post-fight. But he took home a unanimous decision win. And passed a tough test in Andre Fili.
Official Result: Bryce Mitchell def. Andre Fili by unanimous decision (29-28 30-27 30-27)
