Bryce Mitchell’s Bantamweight Debut: A New Era Begins?
After a disappointing loss to Jean Silva via submission, Bryce Mitchell knew it was time for a change in his UFC career. Once an undefeated Featherweight prospect, Mitchell decided to move down to the Bantamweight Division in search of a fresh start. Many questioned how the drop in weight would affect his stamina and striking. Some feared the cut would drain him physically, leaving him vulnerable against faster opponents. Mitchell quickly silenced the doubters, earning a hard-fought decision victory over a talented contender in Said Nurmagomedov.
In his debut at 135 pounds, Mitchell’s grappling looked just as dominant—if not more so—than it did during his Featherweight run. He was able to control Nurmagomedov on the ground for most of the second and third rounds, winning over the judges with top control and positional dominance. Now, in a lighter division, Mitchell’s grappling could become even more effective. He also has a notable size advantage—being unusually tall for Bantamweight—which could help him maintain range and control striking exchanges. Striking has always been Mitchell’s Achilles’ heel. His last two losses in Featherweight came at the hands of heavy hitters in Jean Silva and Josh Emmett, both of whom did significant damage standing up. In Bantamweight, the threat of one-punch knockout power is less common, which could allow Mitchell to stay more composed and implement his grappling without taking as much damage. With his reach and height, Mitchell could also evolve into a more effective counter striker—setting up takedowns with jabs or distance strikes.
Still, Bantamweight is one of the UFC’s deepest divisions, filled with elite grapplers and well-rounded fighters. While Mitchell’s control against Nurmagomedov was impressive, future opponents will likely be better equipped to scramble and escape bad positions. Even in his win, Mitchell was dropped in the first round—showing his striking defense still needs work. For his next test, a matchup with someone like Raoni Barcelos or Marcus McGhee could be ideal. Both are dangerous and well-rounded fighters who could test Mitchell on the feet and on the mat. If Bryce continues to sharpen his striking while maintaining his grappling edge, his move to Bantamweight might just be the career reset he needed.
