UFC featherweight Bryce Mitchell recently shared a story from his time training in Abu Dhabi that left him scrambling to get dressed faster than ever before.
In a recent video, the Arkansas native recounted an awkward encounter that occurred during his first visit to the UAE capital. Mitchell explained that the incident happened after a training session at a local gym, where he learned an important cultural lesson the hard way.
“This is my first time in Abu Dhabi, so I’m kind of learning the rules still,” Mitchell said during a candid video describing the events. “In Abu Dhabi, a changing room is not a changing room. You do not change in a changing room.”
After finishing his shower, Mitchell walked into the adjacent changing room completely naked, as he would typically do at gyms back home. However, he quickly discovered that six Muslim men in traditional white robes were present in the room, and his state of undress caused immediate offense.
“Apparently, me being naked greatly offended them. To the point where I thought… I thought that they might actually start a fight with me,” Mitchell explained. “And they started walking at me. They started yelling at me.”
The situation escalated quickly, with Mitchell finding himself outnumbered and exposed in an increasingly tense confrontation. He described feeling vulnerable not just from the numerical disadvantage, but also due to the cold temperature in the room.
“I got these six dudes about to fight me. Six. I’m one,” Mitchell said, adding that he began contemplating how his martial arts training might come into play. “I start thinking, well, my Lord. I think all of my years of gi training are about to pay off.”
Just when the situation seemed dire, fellow fighter T.J. Brown entered the changing room, providing much-needed backup. “He says, hey, Bryce, you all right, brother? And that was the happiest I’ve ever been to see T.J. Brown in my life,” Mitchell recalled with relief.
With reinforcement present, Mitchell was able to de-escalate the situation by repeatedly apologizing to the offended men. Eventually, they allowed him to get dressed, which he did with unprecedented speed.
“I have never put on my blue jeans and my boots quicker in my life than I did that day,” Mitchell said, emphasizing the urgency he felt to remedy the situation.
The experience served as a valuable cultural lesson for the UFC veteran, who stressed the importance of understanding local customs when traveling internationally.
“So let me tell y’all, if you’re in Abu Dhabi, do not get naked in front of none of these dudes. In the changing room, it don’t matter where you’re at,” Mitchell advised, sharing his newfound knowledge with others who might find themselves in similar situations.
This incident comes as Mitchell prepares for his upcoming bantamweight debut against Said Nurmagomedov at UFC on ABC 9, scheduled for July 27 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. The seasoned contender has decided to drop down from featherweight after recognizing the size disadvantage he faced in his previous bout.
