#Bryce Mitchell

[cloacacarnage]

[theanticool]

Remember Bryce Mitchell is the fighter who tore up his balls with a power drill and then re-read this headline

[socialjusticeinamerica]

Fighter: I did my own research. White: We must protect free speech.

[cerealsensei]

Not how you wanna be on the front page of ESPN

[unitedfrontvarietyhour]

Follow your leader, Bryce.

[imadititom]

Why drag black people into his coke addiction though?!

Man still has not recovered.

What a twat.

Between this and Bryce Smooth brain Hitler declarations.

Uncle fester PR is working hard.

[bigguccielwopo]

UFC fighter Bryce Mitchell showing Eddie Bravo a new way to set up a twister

[piekhana]

[5p0rt5]

UFC 296 Showdown

As the UFC calendar culminates with UFC 296 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, fans are braced for an evening of high-voltage clashes. This card is not just about the physicality inside the octagon; it's a chess match of strategy, skill, and heart. Here's the breakdown of the key matchups with updated fighter records and betting odds.

Featherweight Fray: Josh Emmett vs. Bryce Mitchell

The featherweight division sees a compelling matchup between Josh Emmett (18-4-0) and Bryce Mitchell (16-1-0). Emmett, known for his knockout power, looks to bounce back from his recent struggles, having faced two consecutive losses. On the other hand, Mitchell, with only one loss to his name, comes off a solid win. This bout is a classic striker vs. grappler scenario, where Emmett's power meets Mitchell's grappling acumen.

Lightweight Showdown: Tony Ferguson vs. Paddy Pimblett

In a highly anticipated lightweight bout, Tony Ferguson (25-9-0), a veteran of the octagon, faces the rising star Paddy Pimblett (20-3-0). Ferguson, despite recent setbacks, is known for his unorthodox style and formidable track record, including fights against top-tier opponents. Pimblett, entering with odds of -310, brings a fresh wave of energy and an impressive three-fight win streak in the UFC. This fight is a clash of experience versus momentum.

Flyweight Title Clash: Alexandre Pantoja vs. Brandon Royval

The co-main event features Alexandre Pantoja (26-5-0) defending his title against Brandon Royval (15-6-0). Pantoja, coming off a controversial split decision win to capture the title, showcases a balanced skill set with 8 KOs and 10 submissions. Royval, known as “Raw Dawg,” has a point to prove, having lost to Pantoja in their previous encounter. This rematch is not just for the title but also for pride and redemption.

Welterweight Championship: Leon Edwards vs. Colby Covington

The main event features Leon Edwards (20-3-0, -155) taking on Colby Covington (17-3-0, +130). Edwards, coming off a highly acclaimed trilogy with Kamaru Usman, displays a versatile skill set marked by tactical striking and solid grappling. Covington, a divisive figure in the sport, is known for his endurance and wrestling prowess. This fight is a high-stakes battle where strategy, skill, and sheer will collide.

Final Thoughts

UFC 296 is more than just a collection of fights; it's a showcase of martial arts at its finest, where each athlete brings their unique story into the octagon. Tune in on December 16th for an unforgettable night of action, starting with the prelims at 3 PM PST and culminating with the main card at 7 PM PST.

[Updated fighter records from Sherdog.com: Josh Emmett​​, Bryce Mitchell​​, Tony Ferguson​​, Paddy Pimblett​​, Alexandre Pantoja​​, and Brandon Royval​​.]

[justinssportscorner]

Noah Dowe at MMFA:

Right-wing media have amplified conspiracy theories and bigotry from Ultimate Fighting Championship figures including UFC President Dana White and a number of high-profile fighters.  In doing so, these media platforms have mirrored former President Donald Trump's efforts to use the prizefighting league to boost his 2024 campaign. They’ve also provided a megaphone for White and his current and former fighters — some of whom have expressed support for QAnon and claimed the U.S. government orchestrates mass shootings — to espouse racism, anti-LGBTQ bigotry, false claims of election fraud, and a claim that Pfizer-sponsored athletes are “taking handouts from the devil.” 

UFC fighters have delved into right-wing politics and fringe conspiracy theories like QAnon, finding allies in conservative media

An MMA journalist noted that a number of UFC fighters have repeatedly used their public platforms to court conservative fans and endorse extreme right-wing conspiracy theories, including QAnon. MMA journalist Karim Zidan has reported that dozens of MMA figures have embraced fringe beliefs like QAnon, COVID-19 conspiracy theories, mass shooting denialism, and even 9/11 trutherism. He has written: “MMA's embrace of outsider sports fans and right-wing politicians has helped create a wave of athletes activating around extremist causes and conspiracies.” [Bloody Elbow, 9/15/20; Global Sport Matters, 10/20/22]

Former President Donald Trump employed endorsements from UFC fighters in the 2020 election and now sees the organization as a major component of his 2024 campaign, as his team hopes to target “young male audiences with little interest in politics.”��During the 2020 election cycle, a number of fighters endorsed Trump and joined campaign events like the Trump Jr.-led “Fighters Against Socialism” bus tour; the former president’s 2024 campaign is now doubling down on this strategy, which Trump aides say “puts him in front of potential voters who may not closely follow politics or engage with traditional news sources.” [Politico, 10/29/20; The Guardian, 8/5/23; The Associated Press, 12/15/23]

Right-wing media have previously defended bigoted commentary from UFC fighters, even backing middleweight Sean Strickland after he described being transgender as “a mental fucking illness” and suggested he would have “failed as a man” if he reared a gay son. A number of right-wing figures, including podcaster Steve Bannon and white nationalist Nick Fuentes, also championed UFC star Conor McGregor after his anti-immigrant commentary came under investigation by Irish authorities last year; Fuentes notably told McGregor to “rise up” because “it’s either going to be the Irish or it’s going to be the blacks. Only one side is going to come out of this alive.” [Media Matters, 11/30/23, 1/31/24; Sports Politika, 11/30/23]  

Outside of direct interviews with these fighters and figures, some right-wing media have attempted to harness what Bannon’s War Room called “one of the last patriotic sports left” for political gain. Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, for example, has advocated for the Republican Party to embrace “the alpha male culture of Joe Rogan, Dana White, and the UFC” in order to “win over millions of other voters,” even suggesting he would contact White in an effort to “get voter registration and ballot chasing at every one of these UFC fights.” [Bloody Elbow, 4/14/21; Real America’s Voice, The Charlie Kirk Show, 7/10/23, 6/3/24]

Dana White

UFC President Dana White is a Trump ally and donor who has repeatedly used the organization to benefit the former president’s political ambitions. Besides directly endorsing Trump at the 2020 Republican National Convention, Karim Zidan reported in September 2020 that “White, along with a select group of UFC fighter[s],” had “spent the last few months advocating for the incumbent president in an attempt to ensure his re-election. From campaign rallies and bus tours, to TV appearances and ad spots, the UFC went to great lengths to campaign for Trump.” [The Guardian, 8/23/20; Bloody Elbow, 11/11/20; The New York Times, 5/12/20]

The UFC continues to be a bastion of right-wing extremism, conspiracy theories, and bigotry. Dana White, Joe Rogan, and co. set the tone for that style.

[theanticool]

We got a flat earther special on our hands

[generallemarc]

You called Hitler a good guy and said the Holocaust didn't happen. Even if you were Kanye West and had the "excuse" of being bipolar(except that's not how that works and bipolar people can absolutely choose to lean into their manic urges instead of fighting them), that would still make you, at a minimum, an incredibly ignorant and incredibly hateful bigot. So don't be surprised when not one single person takes this seriously.

[leftpocketdogshit]

Josh Emmett vs Bryce Mitchell - How Afraid?

[strangedreamings]

This guy is homophobic, an anti-vaxxer, an Edgar Allen Poe hater, and a flat-earther.

Dude, your kid has already inherited your genes, home-schooling him is only going to double-down on the stupidity.

[mmahypewatch]