Report: Bryce Mitchell Booked for Bantamweight Debut at UFC Abu Dhabi

Bryce
Mitchell has decided to drop down a weight class for his next
challenge.

Mitchell (17-3) will make his bantamweight debut against Said
Nurmagomedov (18-4) at
UFC Abu Dhabi on July 26 at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.
RedCorner MMA first reported the matchup.

Once considered a highly-touted prospect, Mitchell suffered his
first professional loss against future champ Ilia
Topuria in 2022 and “Thug Nasty” has since moved further and
further away from the featherweight title picture. Mitchell has
since alternated wins over Dan Ige and
Kron
Gracie between stoppage losses against Josh Emmett
and Jean
Silva. Many believe it’s not wise for Mitchell to cut more
weight considering he has been finished so violently and
frequently.

Meanwhile, Nurmagomedov is a battle-tested bantamweight holding a
7-3 UFC record who has just been unable to get passed the
division’s top prospects. The Dagestani has sandwiched a finish
over Muin
Gafurov between losses against Jonathan
Martinez and Vinicius
Oliveira in his last three outings.