Controversial featherweight Bryce Mitchell, fresh off a devastating loss to Jean Silva in Miami in April, returned to action at UFC Abu Dhabi, taking on Said Nurmagomedov in a move down to bantamweight.
Mitchell had not competed as a bantamweight since his first professional fight in 2015, but had been trading wins and losses over the past few years at 145 pounds. Nurmagomedov had was 3-2 in his last five.
Mitchell started out pressing the action backing Nurmagomedov to the fence, Said threw multiple dangerous strikes that narrowly missed as Mitchell closed the distance. When the fight was against the cage Mitchell started working dirty boxing in the clinch landing the head and body of Nurmagomedov. Said was able to separate from the cage, and landed a well timed knee up the middle that dropped Mitchell. Stumbling to the canvas, Mitchell tried to survive by grabbing onto Nurmagomedov in his guard. With a minute remaining in the round Said was in top control, before Mitchell scrambled to his feet. After an action packed opening five minutes, Nurmagomedov had jumped out to an early lead.
In the second round, Mitchell immediately shot for a takedown pushing Nurmagomedov to the fence and dragging him to the floor. Once on the ground, Mitchell quickly passed through Nurmagomedov’s guard and secured side control where he worked towards a kimura submission. Nurmagomedov was able to reverse position as the two fighters worked in the clinch against the fence. A wild scramble saw Bryce take the back of Nurmagomedov with a minute remaining in the round. Nurmagomedov again was able to get back on top landing multiple short shots to the head. The fight returned to the feet with thirty seconds, and Mitchell jumped in for a takedown securing another before the bell sounded.
Entering the third round, the fight was conceivably 1-1 with each fighter winning a round a piece. Mitchell started out as the aggressor in this round pushing Nurmagomedov to the fence desperately looking to find a home for a takedown. Nurmagomedov expertly reversed his attempt almost securing a guillotine choke. From here, Nurmagomedov lost top control and let Mitchell scramble to the dominant position. Mitchell remained on top for a few minutes working to side control where he was looking to find a submission himself. The physical strength of Mitchell was on full display in this weight class as he continued to keep Nurmagomedov in a helpless position on the ground. Transitioning to his opponent’s back, Mitchell was able rack up control time in this round. Going to the judges scorecards it seemed as though Mitchell had won the final five minutes.
All three judges saw this contest 29-28 for Bryce Mitchell who got back into the win column in his new weight class. Mitchell said he is happy with the win and said he never turns down fights and will compete against anyone the promotion wants. Mitchell then momentarily led the Abu Dhabi crowd in prayer before exiting the cage.
Official Result: Bryce Mitchell def. Said Nurmagomedov by unanimous decision (29–28, 29–28, 29–28)
