‘They Thought I Was Dead’

Bryce Mitchell is not dead.

He certainly looked that way, after featherweight power-puncher Josh Emmett left Mitchell’s lifeless body on display at the UFC 296 pay-per-view (PPV) event in Las Vegas. It was the first knockout loss for “Thug Nasty” in 18 trips to the cage.

As a result, Mitchell (16-2) is taking himself out of action for the next six months.

“I’m on my own concussion protocol,” Mitchell told ESPN. “I’ll consult with my coaches, too, and we’re basically just saying, ‘You know, don’t spar for six months.’ I’ve got to [build a new house] and [expecting my first child], but then I’m right into my next training camp after that. The good thing is that I don’t have to rush into it.”

The loss to Emmett dropped Mitchell to No. 10 in the featherweight rankings. It also took “Thug Nasty” out of the title picture for the foreseeable future; however, the worst part of losing by knockout was dealing with his loved ones after the fight.

“The worst part is dealing with everybody afterwards, ‘cause they all thought I was dead,” Mitchell continued. “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.”

Mitchell, 29, is expected back in the second half of 2024.