Bryce Mitchell is not competing in Noche UFC 306 but was brought up in a unique way during fight week. In turn, Mitchell responded, setting the table for a potential future rivalry.
As a part of their promotion for the Noche UFC 306 event, ESPN MMA reporters asked a few competing fighters fun topics for social media content. One video had the reporters asking fighters if they would invite certain other fighters to Carne Asada.
When it was Diego Lopes' turn, he said "no" to most fighters, including Mitchell. 'Thug Nasty' took offense to the answer and responded on Instagram, commenting:
"Diego I wanna fite u now I been nuthin but nice to u and u won't invite me to the carne asada? Remember at the casino when I introduced myself and was very nice. Not no more amigo, I'm comin' to kick ur a**."
Lopes was also asked if he would invite Aljamain Sterling, Ilia Topuria, Movsar Evloev, Yair Rodriguez, Max Holloway, Alexander Volkanovski and Brian Ortega — his Noche UFC 306 opponent — to Carne Asada.
Mitchell did not make it clear if he was legitimately upset or playing into a joke to angle for a fight, but his message's tone appeared serious.
When is Bryce Mitchell's next fight?
Even though it has been nine months since he last stepped into the Octagon, Bryce Mitchell does not have a fight booked for his return. 'Thug Nasty' is still holding onto a ranking in the featherweight division at No. 12.
Mitchell is typically known for his activity but was on the wrong end of one of the most violent knockouts in UFC history in his last fight. Stepping in on short notice against Josh Emmett at UFC 296, Mitchell was knocked unconscious in under two minutes and began shaking on the canvas in an alarming moment.
The loss was Mitchell's second in his last three fights, sandwiching a semi-controversial decision win over Dan Ige. The 29-year-old has been active in accepting callouts and calling other fighters out since then but has not officially announced a return date.