Bryce Mitchell is taking a breather. After his brutal knockout loss to Josh Emmett last month, he’s decided to step back for a bit.
Mitchell, with a record of 16-2, was a last-minute replacement. He filled in for an injured Giga Chikadze against Emmett (19-4) at UFC 296. Emmett, renowned for his powerful punches, knocked out Mitchell with an overhand right. It was a swift end in the first round.
Following this, “Thug Nasty” has opted for his own “concussion protocol”. This means he’ll be taking a six-month rest. “I’m on my own concussion protocol,” he explained. “I’ll consult with my coaches, too, and we’re basically just saying, ‘You know, don’t spar for six months.'”
Mitchell has other things to occupy him during this break. He’s got a house to build and a baby on the way. But once that’s done, he’ll be back in training camp. “The good thing is that I don’t have to rush into it,” the 29-year-old told ESPN.
This knockout was a first for Mitchell. It was also Sherdog’s 2023 “Knockout of the Year”. The sight of the featherweight convulsing on the canvas understandably worried his loved ones.
“The worst part is dealing with everybody afterward, because they all thought I was dead,” he said. “Everybody that I knew was crying. On the bright side, that was the easiest fight for me. I’ve never had a fight where I’ve come out feeling so great. I just woke up in the ambulance and barely remembered what happened. There’s no pain, I’m telling you. But everybody was crying, and they thought I was dead; I’m not exaggerating.”
This was Mitchell’s second loss in his last three fights. His other defeat was against Ilia Topuria, who’s now set to compete for the featherweight title at UFC 298.