UFC bantamweight Bryce Mitchell revealed he declined an offer in Qatar, citing safety concerns amid ongoing regional conflict. The Arkansas native, known for his outspoken nature, explained his decision during a recent podcast appearance while promoting his upcoming grappling match against Mikey Musumeci.
During the conversation, Mitchell stated that he was offered a bout for an October event in Qatar. While the timing initially seemed challenging due to his wife’s pregnancy, with their baby due October 29th, Mitchell emphasized that the primary factor in his decision was the unstable security situation in the region.
“Qatar’s air force is being b[ ]bed right now by Iran,” Mitchell stated. “I go over to Qatar and then they get overrun by the Houthis. You know, they’re not going to release me and say, ‘Oh, go back to America.'”
The MMA star made it clear that his concerns were legitimate and immediate.
“I turned down the Qatar match because it is a international war zone. And it’s a war that I really want to stay out of, too. You know, I dislike this war and I want world peace,” Mitchell explained.
He contrasted this with his previous positive experience competing in Abu Dhabi, noting, “when I went to Abu Dhabi, I had the time of my life. But something about it now, there’s not peace in that region and I didn’t want to be over there.”
Mitchell added that after praying and reflecting on the decision, he simply did not feel comfortable traveling to the area. The matchup would have been significant as well, as his potential opponent cannot travel to the United States, making Qatar one of the few viable locations for the pairing.
Qatar, even amidst global tensions, continues to promote itself as a safe destination for major international sporting events and global visitors. Despite turning down multiple offers, Mitchell remains optimistic about his future in the bantamweight division. He’s currently scheduled to compete at UFC BJJ 11 against reigning bantamweight champion Mikey Musumeci in a featherweight grappling match. Mitchell believes a strong performance there will generate interest from the UFC for bigger opportunities.
