Bryce Mitchell opened up about his challenging experience in the UFC Abu Dhabi fight, where he moved down to the bantamweight division and narrowly defeated Said Nurmagomedov. The fight, held last weekend, tested Mitchell’s endurance and toughness as he faced early adversity but ultimately secured a hard-fought win, marking an important moment in his career.
Overcoming Early Setbacks in a Grueling Contest
Mitchell was knocked down early in the bout, which forced him to dig deep to reclaim control. His opponent proved to be more resilient than expected, making the match an intense and punishing encounter. Despite the rough start, Mitchell managed to rally and demonstrate the grit that has marked his UFC journey, though it came at a significant physical cost.
Mitchell Describes Physical and Mental Toll After Fight
Speaking with reporters after the match, Mitchell did not hesitate to convey how brutally difficult the fight had been.
“I mean, I didn’t expect to be in that much pain, to be honest,”
he revealed.
“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.”
—Bryce Mitchell, Fighter
He continued, painting a vivid picture of his struggle:
“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.”
—Bryce Mitchell, Fighter
What Lies Ahead for Mitchell After a Grueling Win
Mitchell’s escape with a narrow victory highlights both his resilience and the challenges he faces adapting to a lower weight class. This performance, though victorious, clearly revealed the physical toll the fight took on him, raising questions about his future bouts in the bantamweight division. Fans and analysts will be watching keenly to see how Mitchell adjusts as he continues to seek consistency in the Ultimate Fighting Championship.