Report: Bryce Mitchell Booked for Bantamweight Debut at UFC Abu Dhabi

🚨 BREAKING: Bryce Mitchell will make his bantamweight debut against Said Nurmagomedov at UFC Abu Dhabi on July 26. pic.twitter.com/ko3axDHbkB

— Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) June 4, 2025

Bryce Mitchell has decided to drop down a weight class for his next challenge.

Mitchell (17-3) will make his bantamweight debut against Said Nurmagomedov (18-4) at UFC Abu Dhabi on July 26 at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. RedCorner MMA first reported the matchup.

Once considered a highly-touted prospect, Mitchell suffered his first professional loss against future champ Ilia Topuria in 2022 and “Thug Nasty” has since moved further and further away from the featherweight title picture. Mitchell has since alternated wins over Dan Ige and Kron Gracie between stoppage losses against Josh Emmett and Jean Silva. Many believe it’s not wise for Mitchell to cut more weight considering he has been finished so violently and frequently.

Meanwhile, Nurmagomedov is a battle-tested bantamweight holding a 7-3 UFC record who has just been unable to get passed the division’s top prospects. The Dagestani has sandwiched a finish over Muin Gafurov between losses against Jonathan Martinez and Vinicius Oliveira in his last three outings.