Following his submission defeat to Jean Silva at UFC 314, Bryce Mitchell has released his first statement, taking full responsibility for the outcome.
The fight, which became a central talking point of the event, saw Silva deliver a dominant and dynamic performance. He showcased superior striking and grappling skills throughout the bout, ultimately securing a second-round victory by putting Mitchell to sleep with a ninja choke. Silva`s dominance was evident from the outset, effectively neutralizing Mitchell`s attacks in every exchange leading up to the submission.
In a social media post after the event, Mitchell addressed his fans regarding the loss, acknowledging the disappointing result which was clearly unexpected.
“Thank you to everyone for the incredible support,” Mitchell shared on Instagram. “I’m doing well, thankfully. God protected me out there – no broken bones or lost teeth, so I’m grateful. I gave it absolutely everything I had in the fight; I couldn`t have tried harder. Perhaps I could have fought smarter.”
“I`m committed to making adjustments and learning from this. He got me good. I had nothing left to offer. There`s some comfort in knowing I gave my best, but this just highlights where I need to improve.”
The UFC 314 event marked the end of a challenging period for Mitchell. He had previously been a popular figure among fans but faced significant backlash after making controversial comments on a podcast, where he defended Adolf Hitler and denied the Holocaust.
During his first face-off with Silva at the pre-fight press conference, Mitchell experienced a wave of boos from the audience, an unfamiliar and negative reception for the fighter.
Despite the negativity surrounding the lead-up to the fight, Mitchell expressed feeling supported and appreciated by fans who remained loyal throughout the turbulent period.
“The outpouring of support has been overwhelming,” Mitchell stated. “It’s been an unbelievable week, truly hard to describe.”
“I genuinely believed I was going to win this fight, one hundred percent. The fight gained so much attention unexpectedly, and I felt like it was a sign I was meant to win. Obviously, that wasn`t the case.”
This submission loss marks Mitchell`s third defeat in his last five fights, a run that includes a knockout loss to Josh Emmett in 2023.
Despite the disappointment of the loss, Mitchell affirmed his dedication to continuous improvement and his intention to return to the UFC stronger.
“I’m just going to keep fighting,” Mitchell concluded. “That’s all we can do. Every loss is a lesson, and you learn from it and keep moving forward. That’s exactly what I plan to do.”
