In a razor-close stylistic clash, Bryce “Thug Nasty” Mitchell makes his bantamweight debut against crafty Dagestani striker Said Nurmagomedov on the featured prelim of UFC on ABC 9: Whittaker vs. de Ridder, live from the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. Both fighters are coming off losses and looking to reassert themselves in a stacked division.
Tale of the Tape
| Attribute | Bryce Mitchell | Said Nurmagomedov |
| Age | 30 | 33 |
| Height | 5′10″ | 5′8″ |
| Reach | 70″ | 70″ |
| Record (MMA) | 17-4-0 | 18-4-0 |
| UFC Record | 8-3 | 7-3 |
| Style | Wrestling/BJJ | Muay Thai / Submission Grappling |
| UFC Ranking | #15 Bantamweight | Unranked (as of July 2025) |
Bryce Mitchell – The Pressure Grappler
Strengths:
Relentless takedown attempts (27 career UFC takedowns)
Strong top control and submission setups (9 career subs)
Durable and gritty with underrated striking volume
Recent Form:
Losses to Jean Silva (Sub), Josh Emmett (KO), Ilia Topuria (Sub)
Win over Dan Ige (Dec)
Game Plan:
Chain-wrestling and pressure to neutralize striking
Avoid scrambles and protect neck from chokes
Use level changes to disrupt rhythm
Mitchell’s move to bantamweight is a calculated reset after a turbulent featherweight run. His wrestling-heavy style thrives on control and grind, but recent submission losses raise concerns about his defensive grappling under duress.
Said Nurmagomedov – The Slick Finisher
Strengths:
Dynamic striking with spinning kicks and jabs
Opportunistic submission game (guillotine specialist)
Fast scrambles and choke setups in transitions
Recent Form:
Loss to Vinicius Oliveira (Dec)
Wins over Saidyokub Kakhramonov (Sub), Douglas Silva de Andrade (Dec)
Game Plan:
Keep distance with kicks and counters
Punish sloppy takedown entries with chokes
Use movement to frustrate Mitchell’s pressure
Nurmagomedov is a dangerous wild card. He’s finished three of his last four wins via guillotine or front choke, the exact method that’s plagued Mitchell recently.
Key Dynamics
Grappler vs. Striker: Mitchell’s takedown volume vs. Nurmagomedov’s distance control and counters.
Submission Risk: Mitchell has been submitted in 3 of his last 4 losses; Nurmagomedov thrives on guillotine traps.
Weight Class Shift: Mitchell’s durability and cardio at 135 lbs remain unknown.
FIGHT ODDS
Bryce Mitchell – 125
Said Nurmagomedov + 105
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, July 25, 2025
