It’s official: Bryce Mitchell will fight Jean Silva in a featherweight contest at UFC 314 in Miami on April 12, and fight fans aren’t optimistic about Mitchell’s chances.
Mitchell made headlines earlier this year for engaging in Holocaust denial, expressing admiration for Adolf Hitler. ‘Thug Nasty’ later apologized, but this hasn’t stopped the MMA community and fighters in the UFC from going on a head-hunt.
This includes Brazil’s Jean Silva, who promised to educate Mitchell in his post-fight callout at UFC Seattle. Silva knocked out Melsik Baghdasaryan en route to a performance bonus, and the UFC confirmed Silva vs. Mitchell in an announcement on February 27.
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MMA fans react to Bryce Mitchell vs. Jean Silva at UFC 314
With sentiment already at an all-time low for Mitchell, fight fans rejoiced at the news he’d be fighting the surging Silva at UFC 314.
“Horrible fight for Adolf Brycler,” One user wrote.
“Bryce Mitchell is gonna get destroyed,” Another said.
“Bryce gettin’ slept,” Another user commented.
“This is going to be career ending for Bryce,” One user remarked.
“I don’t see this ending well for Bryce honestly,” Another exclaimed.
Mitchell and Silva will likely face off on the UFC 314 card to garner the most interest.
Bryce Mitchell vs. Jean Silva prediction
Subject to author opinion.
While recency bias will have you believe Silva runs through Mitchell, it’s more like a coin-flip fight.
Mitchell is an incredibly competent grappler and one of the best submission practitioners in the featherweight division. Silva has the edge in striking, and while Mitchell shows predictability (and vulnerability—demonstrated by Josh Emmett) on the feet, there’s always a chance Silva clips him.
With that said, Silva showed some real vulnerabilities against Charles Jourdain two fights ago. ‘Lord’ exposed his back during grappling scrambles, and Mitchell is excellent at taking the back and locking in the choke.
Prediction: 35% Silva KO / 65% Mitchell SUB or DEC