Bryce Mitchell made headlines in the MMA community, sparking reactions from UFC CEO Dana White and his fellow fighters.
During the first episode of his podcast, Mitchell made controversial statements claiming Adolf Hitler was a “good guy” and denying the reality of the Holocaust. White condemned Mitchell’s remarks after the Power Slap event, calling them “beyond disgusting.” Despite this, White stated that Mitchell would not face any punishment due to the principle of “free speech.”
Following his knockout victory over Kron Gracie at UFC 310 in December, Mitchell has remained silent on the backlash. However, other UFC fighters such as Conor McGregor, Sean Strickland, Paulo Costa, and more have weighed in on the situation.
Read below to see the responses from professional fighters regarding Mitchell and his controversial comments.
Natan Levy tweeted, “The irony is wild – The guy who has a hard on for Floyd Mayweather and fantasizes about getting his way with him in a jail cell is accusing the Jews of ‘queering’ kids. I don’t think sodomy is very Christian.” Levy’s tweet included a link to the original post.
Anthony PrettyBoy Taylor criticized Mitchell, calling him a “fucking idiot and a racist” and suggesting that he should be cut from the UFC. Taylor pointed out the double standard in how different fighters are treated based on their comments.
Conor McGregor expressed support for Mitchell, saying, “Saying a prayer for my God-fearing brother Bryce Mitchell tonight who I know is a good man.” McGregor acknowledged the rise in antisemitic and racist commentary and urged for understanding and compassion.
Cody Durden, while recognizing Mitchell as a tough competitor, criticized his comments about Hitler. Durden stated, “There’s no version of Hitler that was ever just a regular guy,” highlighting the severity of Mitchell’s remarks.
Natan Levy tweeted, “But it’s his freedom of speech. Yeah! every idiot is free to speak and I am free to tell them to shut the fuck up,” indicating his stance on Mitchell’s controversial statements.
Paulo Costa tweeted, “I didn’t know Bryce liked fishing. This is something special, fishing!” in a lighter response to the situation.
Sean Strickland highlighted the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict while not defending Mitchell’s comments, stating, “The truth is complex and grey,” in reference to the ongoing tensions in the region.
Jan Blachowicz invited Mitchell to Poland to witness the historical sites related to the Holocaust, including memorials of public executions and concentration camps. Blachowicz aimed to educate Mitchell on the atrocities committed during that time.