Bryce Mitchell will make his bantamweight debut this Saturday in Abu Dhabi, facing Said Nurmagomedov in what promises to be a classic grappler versus striker showdown. The Arkansas native enters the octagon as a slight favorite despite dropping two of his last three featherweight contests.
"UFC Fight Night" returns to Abu Dhabi for the first time in 2025 with this intriguing matchup. Mitchell, nicknamed "Thug Nasty," hopes the weight class change will rejuvenate his career after recent struggles at 145 pounds.
The betting odds have Mitchell at -150, while Nurmagomedov comes in as the underdog at +120. But numbers don't tell the whole story here.
Mitchell brings impressive grappling credentials to the cage, having landed 27 takedowns throughout his UFC career - the fourth-most in lightweight history. His game plan typically revolves around relentless wrestling, as evidenced by his 14 takedown attempts in his recent loss to Jean Silva.
Interestingly, that same Silva fight exposed a potential weakness in Mitchell's game. The 30-year-old fighter left his neck exposed during takedown attempts, eventually falling to a guillotine choke in the second round.
Nurmagomedov might be perfectly positioned to exploit this vulnerability. The Russian fighter has finished three of his last four victories via guillotine or front choke - precisely the submission that troubled Mitchell in his last outing. Add to that Nurmagomedov's slick striking arsenal, and you've got a dangerous opponent from any position.
Worth noting - this fight isn't expected to go the distance. Mitchell, once known for going to decisions, has seen his last three bouts end before the midway point of the third round. Meanwhile, Nurmagomedov has claimed first or second-round finishes in four of his last five wins.
The weight cut presents another interesting variable. How will Mitchell's chin respond after dropping down a weight class, especially considering he was knocked out by Josh Emmett just 18 months ago?
Can "Thug Nasty" rediscover his submission prowess at bantamweight? Or will Nurmagomedov end his 20-month winless streak with another highlight-reel finish? Abu Dhabi awaits the answer.
