Bryce Mitchell

On July 26, 2025, Bryce Mitchell made his bantamweight debut at UFC Abu Dhabi, defeating Said Nurmagomedov in a performance that signaled a deliberate recalibration after years of competing at featherweight. The move to 135 pounds proved calculated rather than desperate — Mitchell carried his full effectiveness into the new weight class, leaving little doubt that the transition was a strategic step forward rather than a retreat.

Eddie Bravo, founder of 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu, has been vocal in his assessment of Mitchell's ground game. Speaking on The Grapplers Perspective Podcast, Bravo called Mitchell "super legit" on the mat and highlighted a quality he considers rare at the UFC level: Mitchell trains with Bravo's toughest students without hesitation, regardless of the reputational stakes involved. That willingness to test himself against elite grapplers in training reflects the same competitive mentality Mitchell brings into the cage.

Among his most widely discussed MMA performances, the bout against Kron Gracie stands as a defining test of Mitchell's grappling-first approach. Facing a generational name in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Mitchell's ability to impose his ground game in that matchup reinforced his identity as one of the more technically grounded fighters operating in the sport.

EBI 25 and Competitive Grappling Results

Mitchell's engagement with the submission grappling circuit in 2025 produced both meaningful results and notable controversies. On September 12, 2025, he competed at Eddie Bravo Invitational 25 in San Antonio alongside a field that included Gianni Grippo, Keith Krikorian, and Ethan Crelinsten. Mitchell advanced through the early rounds before meeting 19-year-old Landon Elmore in the semifinal — a result that drew considerable attention given Elmore's age and emerging profile within the no-gi community.

On January 6, 2025, Mitchell was filmed demonstrating a Twister entry to Eddie Bravo that Bravo stated he had not previously encountered. The footage circulated widely within no-gi grappling circles, serving as a concrete example of Mitchell's continued technical development outside of MMA competition.

Promotional Controversies and Withdrawals

Mitchell's 2025 grappling calendar was also marked by two public withdrawals that generated significant discussion. He withdrew from a scheduled match against Ilay Barzilay after objecting to promotional materials he had not approved — specifically, his likeness having been photoshopped onto the event poster. A separate withdrawal from Pit Submission Series 12 in February 2025 drew additional headlines when Mitchell publicly accused Karate Combat of manipulating promotional images in a manner he described as making him appear "feminine." Both incidents reflected a consistent pattern: Mitchell holding event organizers to a clear standard of consent and accurate representation.

In early March 2026, Mitchell opened his own dojo in Arkansas, a formal step into coaching and community building that extended his influence beyond competition. While the gym's name had not been publicly specified at that time, the opening marked a clear shift toward developing the local martial arts scene on his own terms.

Mitchell has been direct about the culture he intends to build. Recounting an experience from the dojo's opening period — training alongside a high school female wrestler — he made his stance on misconduct unambiguous: "If I saw anybody trying to do anything funky to this girl in my gym, dude, I would bury them." He frames accountability as a shared responsibility, stating: "We don't want perverts in the sport. We got to hold each other accountable."

Mitchell's foundation in 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu continues to shape his no-gi grappling identity and informs the technical framework he brings to his coaching environment. His approach reflects the broader ethos of that system — technical creativity, submission-first thinking, and a willingness to challenge conventional grappling norms.

Addressing Misconduct in the Sport

In early March 2026, Mitchell devoted episode 15 of his podcast, ArkanSanity, to the subject of sexual assault allegations within Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu — a topic generating significant discussion across the grappling community. His commentary offered a grounded, personal perspective on both the prevalence of predatory behavior in the sport and his own principles around training culture.

On the question of women training BJJ, Mitchell was unequivocal: "I sure would. I have no problem with girls training jiu-jitsu. I mean, it's awesome." He acknowledged that predatory behavior exists in BJJ as it does in other environments but positioned that reality as a reason to demand stronger accountability — not to restrict participation.

Mixed-Gender Training and Gym Standards

On mixed-gender training, Mitchell described a personal approach rooted in his competitive needs rather than any opposition to the practice: "I don't even go up to girls and ask for rounds. I really don't. I'm a male and I need to train against other males." He made clear that while he does not oppose mixed-gender training, he does not view it as an obligation for male fighters to seek out rounds with female practitioners. The episode positioned Mitchell as a candid voice for protective gym culture and collective accountability in a sport navigating an ongoing reckoning with misconduct.