UFC’s Bryce “Thugnasty” Mitchell has revealed that his decision to move down to the bantamweight division came immediately after his last bout against Jean Silva, citing a significant size disadvantage as the primary motivation.
“The guy was so much bigger than me, and I really felt it in the second round,”
Mitchell explained in a recent interview with Home of Fight.
“I mean, in the first round, obviously I could tell he was bigger and stronger, but it’s really the second round where I felt it.”
The Arkansas native, known for his straightforward approach both inside and outside the octagon, is scheduled to make his bantamweight debut at UFC Abu Dhabi on July 26. This marks a significant career shift for Mitchell, who has competed at featherweight (145 pounds) throughout his UFC tenure.
“I think that I am a 135er,”
Mitchell stated confidently.
“My weight’s already come down quite a bit since I started the diet, and I got this call like two weeks ago, I think. So I’m excited about it. And everything’s going good.”
The transition appears to be progressing smoothly for Mitchell, who balances his martial arts career with managing his farm. Between training sessions, he dedicates time to agricultural work and family life, maintaining the grounded lifestyle he’s become known for among fans.
This weight class change comes as Mitchell prepares for his first international bout outside the United States. The July event in Abu Dhabi will see him face Said Nurmagomedov, who holds an impressive 18-4 professional record.
Mitchell’s weight-cutting approach has reportedly been more natural than his previous efforts to maintain featherweight status, where he had to consistently eat to keep his weight up. Now, he can focus on a more restrictive diet combined with additional cardiovascular training to reach the 135-pound bantamweight limit.
Industry analysts suggest this move could potentially revitalize Mitchell’s career trajectory in the UFC, allowing him to compete against men of more comparable size. The man remains optimistic about his prospects in the new division and has expressed confidence in his ability to perform well at bantamweight.
“Thugnasty” continues his preparation while maintaining his characteristic rural lifestyle, working his farm between training sessions and spending quality time with family.
