
After a terrible KO loss to Josh Emmett at UFC 296, Bryce Mitchell has given fans and the MMA community an update. To recall, the fight sent “Thug Nasty” not only to the ground but also in a convulsion that shocked many. Nonetheless, the fighter shared in his latest post that he’s doing great now, albeit admitting “it could have been a lot worse.”
One of the biggest highlights of UFC 296 was the Emmett-Mitchell fight, where “CCO” ended the bout at only the 1:57 mark of Round 1. It was a fast match that was sealed by Emmett via a right hook that knocked out the opponent instantly. However, it quickly turned into a horrifying scene after Mitchell started convulsing after taking the blow. Fortunately, Mitchell managed to get up after a few minutes, although with a pair of wobbling legs.
Despite that, many continued to express concern over Mitchell, pushing the fighter to update fans in a recent Instagram post.
According to the fighter who stepped in to replace Giga Chikadze in the fight, it was all a matter of “poor strategy” of not being aggressive. With this, the 29-year-old has one suggestion for others entering the same situation.
“So my strategy was stick to the jab, make my reads, work my feet, kind of sit on the outside, but that put me to where I’m not putting that forward pressure that I really like to put and it also made me look timid,” said Mitchell. “That’s not how I fight. I fight very aggressive, and so I encourage anybody who’s got a fight in their life—not just a fistfight, I’m talking about any type of fight, be aggressive and attack it. Because at least if you go down and you lose that battle, you’re going to know you fought and you went head on towards it. So just a bad strategy by me tonight.
Gosh, Josh hits hard, and he’s so low to the ground when he hits that overhand right, it’s hard to hit him with anything. What can I say? I could have done better, but I obviously didn’t.”
As for his health, Mitchell admitted that things could have been worse, sharing how the experience temporarily impacted him. The fighter also assured fans that he’s doing great, although it remains undetermined if his experience would lead to a mandatory rest order from regulators.
“It could have been a lot worse,” Mitchell said. “When I was in that hospital, I was getting rolled by people with no legs, no arms, faces all messed up, face turned sideways like the dude got in a car wreck, so I cannot complain about anything. I’m so happy to be here and I’m healthy and I love you all and I thank you.”