Bryce Mitchell Assesses Former Opponent Ilia Topuria's Chances Against Alexander Volkanovski

September 20, 2023

in MMA

Reading Time: 2 mins read

This weekend is ready to see UFC featherweight contender Bryce Mitchell make his long-awaited return to motion.

After an undefeated 6-0 begin to Octagon life that included victories over Andre Fili and Edson Barboza, Mitchell had his skilled report blemished for the primary time final December at UFC 282.

There, “Thug Nasty” fell sufferer to the rise of Ilia Topuria, an undefeated Georgian-Spaniard who has burst into rivalry on the again of a dominant and damaging run.

Following his submission win over Mitchell, “El Matador” additional climbed the ranks with a five-round beatdown in opposition to Josh Emmett in the primary occasion of UFC Jacksonville this previous June.

On the again of that outcome, Topuria is now anticipated to be the subsequent challenger within the prolonged and imposing reign of Alexander Volkanovski. However regardless of the way in which wherein he was dismantled by the #5-ranked contender, Mitchell is not positive Topuria is the person to dethrone “Alexander the Nice.”

Mitchell Doubts Topuria Would Unseat Volkanovski

Throughout a current battle week interview forward of his return to motion in opposition to Dan Ige, Mitchell gave his tackle the anticipated subsequent championship contest in his division.

After agreeing with the frequent suggestion that Topuria has possible earned the subsequent alternative, “Thug Nasty” doubted the possibilities of the Georgian-Spaniard getting it achieved.

Both approach, Mitchell expects to be near a date within the cage in opposition to the winner ought to he ship the form of efficiency he is planning on the UFC Apex on September 23.

“Him and Ilia would in all probability be probably the most entertaining battle,” Mitchell stated. “In fact, I wanna battle the champ. I am biased, I wanna battle the champ. Proper after this win on Saturday, I’m going on the market and get a end, it will put me fairly shut up there relying on how spectacular… If someone else will get harm and so they want someone to fill in, hey man, that is me.

“I do not assume that Ilia would win. However he might. I imply, he hits exhausting and quick,” Mitchell continued. “He is not fairly as well-rounded as Volkanovski, however that may be a fantastic battle. I wanna win this battle after which battle a kind of folks up prime.”

On paper, the #10-ranked Mitchell sits a substantial distance from the championship image.

However with Max Holloway, Brian Ortega, and Yair Rodríguez already falling brief in opposition to Volkanovski, in addition to contenders like Emmett and Calvin Kattar coming off defeats, maybe a formidable show in opposition to Ige can considerably advance Mitchell’s title ambitions.