Bryce Mitchell Bio
Bryce Andrew Mitchell, born on October 4, 1994, is an American professional mixed martial artist who has built a reputation as one of the most aggressive grapplers in the sport. He currently competes in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), where he is known by the nickname “Thug Nasty.” A southpaw fighter standing 5 feet 9 inches tall with a 70-inch reach, Mitchell has been active in professional mixed martial arts since 2015. Outside the cage, he lives a rural lifestyle in Arkansas, working as a cattle farmer and holding a degree in economics.
Mitchell first gained national attention through his appearance on the reality television series The Ultimate Fighter: Undefeated, where he showcased the grappling ability that has come to define his career. He is perhaps best recognized for executing a rare twister submission inside the UFC, a feat that placed him in a small group of fighters to land the technique in the promotion. Combining his wrestling base with a dangerous submission game, Mitchell continues to compete at the highest level of the sport while balancing life on his farm in Searcy, Arkansas.
Early Life and Background
Bryce Andrew Mitchell was born on October 4, 1994, in Texarkana, Arkansas, and was raised in Cabot, Arkansas, where he attended Cabot High School. During his school years, he was a multi-sport athlete, playing on the varsity basketball team and competing in wrestling. As a junior, he placed second at the 7A state wrestling championships, and as a senior, he finished fourth at the 6A state championships, demonstrating an early commitment to combat sports and physical competition.
After graduating from high school, Mitchell moved to Searcy, Arkansas, to attend Harding University, where he earned a degree in economics. His upbringing in rural Arkansas and his involvement in athletics helped shape the disciplined and rugged persona he carries into his professional career. The combination of strong wrestling fundamentals and a rural work ethic became the foundation for his transition into mixed martial arts.
Path to MMA
Following his time at Harding University, Mitchell committed to pursuing mixed martial arts as a professional career, making his professional debut in 2015. Competing initially at bantamweight before moving to featherweight, he built an impressive early resume and racked up an undefeated professional record of 9-0. That streak earned him a spot on The Ultimate Fighter: Undefeated Featherweight tournament, where he faced top prospects from across the country.
On the show, Mitchell defeated Jay Cucciniello in the quarterfinals before losing a hard-fought battle to the eventual season winner, Brad Katona, in the semifinals. Despite the loss, his performance was strong enough to earn a UFC contract. His path from a small-town Arkansas upbringing to a nationally televised reality series reflected the steady climb of a fighter who had sharpened his skills on the regional circuit before reaching the sport’s biggest stage.
Bryce Mitchell Career
Early Career (2015-2018)
Mitchell’s professional career began in 2015, and he quickly established himself as a force in the featherweight and bantamweight divisions. Competing on the regional circuit, he compiled a perfect 9-0 record, finishing opponents with a mix of submissions and decisions. His grappling-heavy style and willingness to engage on the ground made him a difficult matchup for less experienced fighters.
His undefeated run earned him an invitation to The Ultimate Fighter: Undefeated, where he faced Tyler Diamond on July 6, 2018, winning by majority decision. Although he did not win the tournament, the appearance served as his official entry into the UFC roster and set the stage for a long career inside the Octagon.
UFC Breakthrough (2019-2021)
Mitchell’s UFC tenure truly began in 2019, when he faced Bobby Moffett on March 23, 2019, at UFC Fight Night: Thompson vs. Pettis. He won by unanimous decision, and the fight earned him the Fight of the Night award, signaling his arrival as a fighter worth watching. Later that year, on December 7, 2019, at UFC on ESPN: Overeem vs. Rozenstruik, he submitted Matt Sayles with a twister in the first round, becoming only the second fighter in UFC history to land the move. The performance earned him the Performance of the Night bonus and was named the 2019 Submission of the Year by Sherdog, MMAJunkie, and MMA Fighting.
Following the high point, Mitchell faced Charles Rosa on May 9, 2020, at UFC 249, dominating the contest and winning by unanimous decision with all three judges scoring 30-25 or better. He then took on Andre Fili on October 31, 2020, at UFC Fight Night: Hall vs. Silva, winning another unanimous decision while notably wearing custom camouflage shorts, the first custom trunks seen in the UFC since the Reebok partnership. The win over Edson Barboza on March 5, 2022, at UFC 272, again by unanimous decision, further cemented his reputation as a top featherweight contender.
Setbacks and Bounce-Back (2022-2024)
Mitchell’s momentum stalled when he faced Ilia Topuria on December 10, 2022, at UFC 282, losing by submission in the second round. The loss was followed by a series of cancellations, including a withdrawn bout against Movsar Evloev due to a recurring back injury that forced him out of UFC 288 in 2023. He returned to action on September 23, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 228, defeating Dan Ige by unanimous decision in a strong bounce-back performance.
On December 16, 2023, at UFC 296, Mitchell stepped in to face Josh Emmett on short notice and was knocked out in the first round, his first knockout loss in the promotion. He responded by facing Kron Gracie on December 7, 2024, at UFC 310, where he won by ground-and-pound elbows in the third round for his first career MMA knockout victory, a milestone moment in his career.
Recent Performances (2025-Present)
In 2025, Mitchell faced Jean Silva on April 12 at UFC 314, where he was submitted by a ninja choke in the second round, resulting in a loss. Seeking a fresh start, he returned to the bantamweight division, where he had briefly competed at the start of his career, and faced Said Nurmagomedov on July 26, 2025, at UFC on ABC 9. Mitchell won the fight by unanimous decision, marking a strong return to the 135-pound class and a renewed sense of momentum heading into the rest of 2025.
Driving Style and Strengths
Mitchell’s fighting style is built around his elite grappling, particularly his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, in which he holds a black belt. His wrestling base allows him to control opponents on the mat, while his southpaw stance creates awkward angles for strikers. The twister submission against Matt Sayles remains a signature moment that highlights his creativity and finishing instincts from top positions.
Notable Events and Milestones
The twister submission of Matt Sayles in 2019 stands as the defining moment of Mitchell’s career, earning him widespread recognition as one of the most dangerous submission specialists in the UFC. Other milestones include his first career knockout win over Kron Gracie in 2024 and his return to the bantamweight division with a victory over Said Nurmagomedov in 2025.
Bryce Mitchell Career Wins
Bryce Andrew Mitchell has compiled 18 professional victories across his MMA career, with 8 wins by decision, 2 by submission, and 1 by knockout. His UFC tenure has featured memorable finishes and dominant decision wins, including his historic twister submission and his first career knockout against Kron Gracie.
UFC Highlights
Among his UFC wins, the unanimous decision over Edson Barboza at UFC 272 remains one of the most impressive on his resume, given Barboza’s reputation as a dangerous striker. He has also earned Fight of the Night and Performance of the Night bonuses during his time in the promotion, awards that reflect his ability to deliver memorable performances.
Other Wins and Performances
Outside the UFC, Mitchell compiled a 9-0 record on the regional circuit before joining the promotion, establishing himself as one of the top featherweight prospects in the country. He also competed in grappling competition, making his EBI 25 debut in September 2025, where he won his first-round match via ride time before losing in the second round to Landon Elmore by heel hook submission.
Bryce Mitchell Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Bryce Andrew Mitchell is married to his wife, Erin Mitchell, with whom he shares a son born in 2024. The family resides in Searcy, Arkansas, where Mitchell owns and operates a cattle farm that also serves as his training base. His lifestyle reflects a commitment to self-sufficiency and rural living, values that often surface in his public persona.
Personal Life
Outside of fighting, Mitchell is a cattle farmer and an economics graduate of Harding University. He is a practicing Christian, and in 2021 he released a seven-track country rap mixtape titled “Pasture Fire.” He enjoys spending time outdoors, hunting, and working the land, pursuits that align with his preference for a rugged, independent way of life.
2025 Season Performance
Mitchell’s 2025 campaign began with a setback, as he was submitted by Jean Silva in the second round of their UFC 314 bout on April 12. The loss prompted a change, and Mitchell elected to return to the bantamweight division, where he had briefly competed at the very start of his professional career. The decision marked a fresh start for a fighter looking to reestablish himself in a more comfortable weight class.
On July 26, 2025, at UFC on ABC 9, Mitchell made his bantamweight return against Said Nurmagomedov and produced one of his best performances in years, winning by unanimous decision. The victory reaffirmed his grappling pedigree and signaled renewed momentum as he looks to build a new streak in the 135-pound division. With several fights likely remaining in the calendar year, Mitchell appears positioned to climb the rankings and put himself back in the title conversation.