From a cattle farm in Arkansas to the bright lights of the UFC Octagon Bryce ‘Thug Nasty’ Mitchell has built one of MMA’s most unique careers. But it’s not just his rare twister submissions and elite grappling that make headlines. His outspoken, often shocking views have thrust him into controversies that transcend the sport. Who is Bryce Mitchell, really? And what is Bryce Mitchell Net Worth Let’s break it all down.
Bryce Mitchell Quick Stats at a Glance
| Category | Details |
| Full Name | Bryce Andrew Mitchell |
| Nickname | Thug Nasty |
| Date of Birth | October 4, 1994 |
| Age | 31 years old (as of 2026) |
| Birthplace | Texarkana, Arkansas, USA |
| Height | 5’10” (178 cm) |
| Weight Class | Featherweight (145 lbs) / Bantamweight (135 lbs) |
| MMA Record | 18–4–0 (Professional) |
| UFC Record | 9–4 in UFC |
| Nickname Origin | Self given, reflecting his tough farm boy persona |
| Gym / Team | Barata MMA (Coach Rudy McGlothlin) |
| Estimated Net Worth | $1.5 – $2 Million (2026) |
Early Life & Background From the Farm to the Fight
Bryce Mitchell was born on October 4, 1994, in Texarkana, Arkansas, and raised in Cabot, Arkansas. Growing up in rural Arkansas shaped Mitchell’s no nonsense, blue collar personality that fans either love or find polarizing.
Mitchell attended Cabot High School, where he was a multi sport athlete
• Wrestling Placed 2nd in the 7A State Championships (junior year)
• Wrestling Placed 4th in the 6A State Championships (senior year)
• Basketball Played for the varsity team
After high school, Mitchell enrolled at Harding University in Searcy, Arkansas, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Economics. Searcy would become his long term home base, the place where he trains, farms, and lives his life outside of fighting.
The Farmer Fighter
What sets Mitchell apart from nearly every other athlete in professional sports is his second identity as a full time cattle farmer. He grows his own food, raises livestock, and credits farming as a core part of who he is. Mitchell has spoken publicly about how his mother inspired his love of the land, recalling her telling him that her farm days were the best of her life.
This dual identity elite UFC fighter by night, cattle farmer by day has made Mitchell one of the most talked about personalities in the sport.
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Bryce Mitchell’s UFC Career Full Fight Record & History
Mitchell made his professional MMA debut in January 2015. Over the next three years, he racked up an impressive 9-0 undefeated record in regional promotions, catching the attention of the UFC.
The Ultimate Fighter: Undefeated (2018)
Mitchell was selected to compete in The Ultimate Fighter Undefeated, a season featuring 9 0 and better records. He reached the semi finals of the tournament, losing to eventual winner Brad Katona. Despite the loss, the UFC was impressed enough to sign him.
Complete UFC Fight Record
| Date | Opponent | Event | Result | Method | Round |
| Jul 26, 2025 | Said Nurmagomedov | UFC on ABC Whittaker vs. de Ridder | WIN | Unanimous Decision | 3 |
| Apr 12, 2025 | Jean Silva | UFC 314 Volkanovski vs. Lopes | LOSS | Submission | 2 |
| Dec 7, 2024 | Kron Gracie | UFC 310 Pantoja vs. Asakura | WIN | KO/TKO | 3 |
| Dec 16, 2023 | Josh Emmett | UFC 296 Edwards vs. Covington | LOSS | KO | 1 |
| Sep 23, 2023 | Dan Ige | UFC Fight Night Fiziev vs. Gamrot | WIN | Unanimous Decision | 3 |
| Dec 10, 2022 | Ilia Topuria | UFC 282 | LOSS | Submission (Arm Triangle) | 2 |
| Mar 5, 2022 | Edson Barboza | UFC 272 | WIN | Unanimous Decision | 3 |
| Oct 31, 2020 | Andre Fili | UFC Fight Night Hall vs. Silva | WIN | Unanimous Decision | 3 |
| May 9, 2020 | Charles Rosa | UFC 249 | WIN | Unanimous Decision | 3 |
| Dec 7, 2019 | Matt Sayles | UFC on ESPN Overeem vs. Rozenstruik | WIN | Submission (Twister) | 1 |
| Mar 23, 2019 | Bobby Moffett | UFC Fight Night Thompson vs. Pettis | WIN | Unanimous Decision | 3 |
| Jul 6, 2018 | Tyler Diamond | TUF Undefeated Finale | WIN | Majority Decision | 3 |
Career Highlights & Milestones
• Only the 2nd fighter in UFC history to win via Twister submission (vs. Matt Sayles, 2019)
• Named 2019 Submission of the Year by Sherdog, MMA Junkie & MMA Fighting
• Earned Fight of the Night award vs. Bobby Moffett (2019)
• Earned Performance of the Night award vs. Matt Sayles (2019)
• Defeated UFC legend Edson Barboza via unanimous decision at UFC 272
• Knocked out Kron Gracie (son of BJJ legend Rickson Gracie) at UFC 310
Recent Form (2023–2025)
Mitchell has had a rollercoaster recent run. He suffered a brutal KO loss to Josh Emmett in December 2023 but bounced back with back to back impressive performances, a win over Dan Ige and a devastating KO of Kron Gracie. In April 2025, he suffered a submission loss to rising star Jean Silva at UFC 314, before winning his bantamweight debut against Said Nurmagomedov in July 2025 in Abu Dhabi.
As of March 2026, Mitchell does not have a next fight scheduled but remains an active fighter on the UFC roster.
Grappling & Fighting Style Why ‘Thug Nasty’ is So Dangerous
Elite Grappling Ability
Mitchell’s grappling is the cornerstone of his game. Trained in wrestling since high school and later developing elite submission skills, he is one of the most complete grapplers in the featherweight division.
• Takedown offense uses strong wrestling base to drag opponents to the mat
• Submission game his twister submission win is proof of rare, advanced grappling
• Ground and pound patient on the mat, looking to submit or damage
• Takedown defense uses his wrestling to neutralize opponents’ shots
The Twister His Signature Weapon
In December 2019, Mitchell submitted Matt Sayles with a Twister, a submission so rare that it had only been seen once before in UFC history. The move requires a rare combination of flexibility, timing, and technical mastery to execute. This performance put the MMA world on notice that Mitchell was not just another grappler he was elite.
Striking Development
While primarily a grappler early in his career, Mitchell has steadily developed his striking. His KO win over Kron Gracie at UFC 310 in December 2024 demonstrated that he now possesses legitimate knockout power. His grappling threat also opens up his striking game, as opponents must worry about being taken down.
Fighting Style Summary
| Skill | Rating | Notes |
| Wrestling / Takedowns | Elite | Former state level wrestler, excellent control |
| Submission Grappling | Elite | One of only 2 twister finishes in UFC history |
| Takedown Defense | Strong | Uses wrestling base effectively |
| Striking | Good | Improving; proven KO power vs. Kron Gracie |
| Cardio / Conditioning | Strong | Farming lifestyle contributes to conditioning |
| Ground and Pound | Solid | Patient and calculated |
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Personal Life The Man Behind the Fighter
Farming & Rural Lifestyle
Perhaps the most distinctive aspect of Bryce Mitchell’s personal life is that he is a working cattle farmer. He lives in Searcy, Arkansas, and genuinely farms for a living outside of fighting. He grows his own food and raises livestock, a lifestyle he says keeps him grounded and connected to who he really is.
Mitchell has described farming as being in his blood, inspired by his mother who spoke fondly of her own farm upbringing.
Education
Mitchell holds a bachelor’s degree in Economics from Harding University in Searcy, Arkansas a Christian liberal arts university. This educational background gives an interesting contrast to his rough and tumble public image.
Relationship
Mitchell is in a relationship with Erin Handlow. He keeps his romantic life relatively private, which is consistent with his generally low key personal lifestyle away from fighting and social media.
Music Career
In 2021, Mitchell released a country rap mixtape titled Pasture Fire. The project received mixed critical reception but showed his desire to express himself creatively beyond combat sports. True to his character, the mixtape blended rural Arkansas themes with rap, an unusual but authentic combination.
Podcast ArkanSanity
Mitchell launched the ArkanSanity podcast, which would later become infamous for the controversial statements he made on its very first episode in January 2025. The podcast represented his desire to speak directly to fans and share his views on life, politics, and more.
Religion & Beliefs
Mitchell is openly Christian and his faith plays an important role in his identity. He attended Harding University, a Church of Christ affiliated institution, and frequently references his beliefs in interviews. His worldview is deeply shaped by conservative, rural Arkansas values.
Controversies The Dark Side of Thug Nasty
The 2025 Hitler Controversy A Turning Point
In January 2025, Bryce Mitchell made international headlines and not for anything he did inside the Octagon. On the very first episode of his ArkanSanity podcast, Mitchell made a series of shocking statements that drew widespread condemnation.
What Did Mitchell Say?
During a conversation with co host and former UFC fighter Rolando Delgado initially about Elon Musk’s controversial gesture at a Trump rally Mitchell made a series of deeply offensive statements, including
• Praising Adolf Hitler, calling him a ‘good guy’ based on what he described as his own personal research
• Denying the historical reality of the Holocaust
• Making antisemitic remarks targeting Jewish people
• Making homophobic and anti LGBTQ+ statements
These comments went viral almost immediately and sparked international outrage across sports media, the MMA community, and beyond.
How Did the UFC & Dana White Respond?
UFC President and CEO Dana White was visibly furious when responding to reporters. He condemned the comments in no uncertain terms, calling Mitchell’s remarks ‘probably the worst’ thing he had ever heard, and stating that anyone who tries to take a positive position on Hitler is ‘literally one of the dumbest human beings.’
However, despite widespread calls for action, White declined to suspend or fire Mitchell from the UFC, citing free speech protections. He stated the UFC was ‘disgusted’ by the comments and had reached out to Mitchell directly, but would not impose formal disciplinary action.
Mitchell’s Apology
Within days, Mitchell posted an apology on Instagram, stating that he was sorry for sounding insensitive and acknowledging that Hitler did evil things. He denied being a Nazi and said he did not condone Hitler’s actions. However, critics noted that the apology fell short of fully addressing the specific claims he made.
Sponsor Backlash
At least one sponsor clothing brand The Renaissance immediately terminated its relationship with Mitchell following the controversy. Founder Ryan Griggs publicly stated that Mitchell’s comments did not reflect the brand’s beliefs and that they could no longer be affiliated with him.
Previous Controversies
The 2025 podcast was not Mitchell’s first brush with controversy. Over the years, he has made headlines for several other provocative views
| Controversy | Details |
| Flat Earth Belief | Mitchell has publicly stated he believes the Earth is flat, dismissing mainstream science |
| NASA Conspiracy | He has claimed NASA is deceptive and cannot be trusted |
| COVID 19 Conspiracy Theories | Made various claims about COVID 19 being a government operation |
| Mass Shooting Skepticism | Has claimed mass shootings may be government ‘false flags’ |
| Tucker Carlson Appearance (2022) | Appeared on Tucker Carlson’s show accusing US politicians of ‘treason’ |
| Holocaust Denial (2025) | Denied the historical reality of the Holocaust on his podcast |
| Hitler Praise (2025) | Called Adolf Hitler a ‘good guy’ on the ArkanSanity podcast |
Bryce Mitchell Net Worth Full Breakdown (2026)
Estimated Net Worth
As of 2026, estimated Bryce Mitchell net worth is between $1.5 million and $2 million. This figure comes from multiple income streams that extend well beyond his UFC fight purses.
UFC Fight Earnings
Mitchell’s base UFC salary has grown over the course of his career. His base pay currently stands at approximately $75,000 per fight, a guaranteed amount regardless of win or loss. However, additional bonuses and incentives can significantly increase his per fight earnings.
| Fight | Opponent | Approx. Earnings | Notes |
| UFC 296 (Dec 2023) | Josh Emmett | $150,000+ | Highest earning fight despite KO loss |
| UFC Fight Night (Sep 2023) | Dan Ige | $85,000 | Base + win bonus + sponsorship |
| UFC 272 (Mar 2022) | Edson Barboza | $75,000 | Base pay for win |
| UFC 282 (Dec 2022) | Ilia Topuria | $78,000 | Earned despite submission loss |
| UFC on ESPN (Dec 2019) | Matt Sayles | $93,000 | Included $50K Performance of Night bonus |
| UFC Fight Night (Mar 2019) | Bobby Moffett | $54,000 | Fight of the Night bonus included |
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Income Sources Beyond Fighting
Mitchell’s wealth comes from a diverse range of sources, which is why his net worth exceeds what his fight earnings alone would suggest
| Income Source | Estimated Contribution | Notes |
| UFC Fight Purses | Primary | $75,000 base per fight + bonuses possible |
| Cattle Farming | Steady Secondary Income | Full time farmer with livestock and food production |
| Sponsorships & Endorsements | Significant | Multiple brand deals (see below) |
| ArkanSanity Podcast | Supplementary | YouTube and podcast revenue |
| Music (Pasture Fire mixtape) | Minor | 2021 country rap release |
| MMA Seminars | Supplementary | Teaches grappling seminars |
| UFC Merchandise | Minor | Percentage of merchandise sales |
Sponsorships & Endorsement Deals
Mitchell has attracted several sponsorship deals that align with his rural, conservative brand identity. His endorsement portfolio includes
• MyBookie Online sports betting platform
• Jocko Fuel Supplements brand associated with former Navy SEAL Jocko Willink
• RealTree Hunting and camouflage gear brand (very on brand for Mitchell)
• Bigty Apparel brand
• Origin American made apparel and BJJ gear
• Ruja / Rujo Health & wellness brand
• Warren Family Chiropractic Local Arkansas healthcare provider
• Venum UFC’s official fight gear sponsor (pays all fighters on the roster)
Charitable Activities
Despite his controversies, Mitchell has shown a genuine charitable side. Following his victory over Edson Barboza at UFC 272, he pledged to donate half of his fight purse to help Arkansas children suffering from medical conditions, a gesture that showed his strong connection to his home community.
Net Worth Summary
| Category | Details |
| Estimated Net Worth (2026) | $1.5M – $2M |
| UFC Base Pay Per Fight | $75,000 |
| Career UFC Fight Earnings (Documented) | ~$324,000+ (likely higher undisclosed) |
| Highest Single Fight Payout | $150,000+ (UFC 296 vs. Josh Emmett) |
| Performance Bonuses Earned | Multiple including $50K vs. Matt Sayles |
| Main Non UFC Income | Cattle farming, sponsorships, podcast |
| Charitable Contributions | Donated 50% of fight purse (UFC 272) to Arkansas children |
What’s Next for Bryce Mitchell?
Division Uncertainty
One of the major questions surrounding Mitchell’s career is which weight class he will settle in. He competed at featherweight (145 lbs) for most of his UFC career but recently fought at bantamweight (135 lbs), winning his debut in that division against Said Nurmagomedov in July 2025.
As of March 2026, no next fight has been announced. His bantamweight ranking sits at #16, and he is also ranked #25 at featherweight per Tapology. He faces the challenge of committing to a weight class to maintain ranking eligibility.
Potential Matchups
Given his grappling credentials and fan friendly fighting style, several intriguing matchups exist for Mitchell at either weight class
• A potential rematch with Jean Silva (who submitted him in April 2025), which has reportedly been discussed under submission grappling rules
• Continued progression in the bantamweight division where his wrestling could pose problems for many ranked fighters
• A return to featherweight where he had been ranked in the top 15
Legacy Considerations
Whatever happens next, Bryce Mitchell’s legacy is a complicated one. Inside the octagon, he is a genuinely elite grappler with rare submission skills and improved striking. His twister submission remains one of the most technically impressive finishes in UFC history.
Outside the octagon, his controversial statements particularly the 2025 Hitler and Holocaust comments have permanently complicated how many fans and observers view him. Whether he can separate his in octagon career from his off octagon persona remains to be seen.
Bryce Mitchell vs. Josh Emmett
| Category | Bryce Mitchell | Josh Emmett |
| Full Name | Bryce Andrew Mitchell | Joshua James Emmett |
| Nickname | Thug Nasty | — |
| Nationality | United States | United States |
| Division | Featherweight | Featherweight |
| Age (approx.) | 31 | 41 |
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (178 cm) | 5 ft 6 in (168 cm) |
| Reach | 70 in (178 cm) | 70 in (178 cm) |
| Fighting Style | Grappling / Wrestling heavy | Power striker / wrestling |
| Stance | Southpaw | Orthodox |
| MMA Record (around fight time) | 18-1 | 18-3 |
| Key Strength | Submissions & control grappling | Explosive knockout power |
| UFC Debut | 2018 | 2016 |
| Finish Wins | 9 submissions | 7 knockouts |
| Training Camp | Barata MMA | Team Alpha Male |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the age of Bryce Mitchell?
Bryce Mitchell was born on October 4, 1994, which makes him 31 years old (as of 2026).
When is Bryce Mitchell’s birthday?
Bryce Mitchell’s birthday is October 4, 1994. He was born in Texarkana, Arkansas, United States.
What is the profession of Bryce Mitchell?
Bryce Mitchell is a professional mixed martial artist (MMA fighter). He competes in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and is known for his grappling skills and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu background.
What is Bryce Mitchell’s education?
Bryce Mitchell attended Harding University, where he reportedly studied economics.
What is the height of Bryce Mitchell?
Bryce Mitchell is approximately 5 feet 9 inches (175 cm) tall.
What is the weight of Bryce Mitchell?
Bryce Mitchell’s listed fighting weight is around 135 pounds (61 kg) in the bantamweight division.
Final Verdict: Is Bryce Mitchell One of MMA’s Most Complex Figures?
There is no simple answer when it comes to Bryce Mitchell. He is simultaneously one of the most talented grapplers of his generation and one of the most controversial figures in sports. His Arkansas farm background, rare submission skills, and genuine authenticity make him compelling. His repeated offensive and factually false statements make him deeply problematic.
Inside the cage, Bryce Mitchell is a legitimate threat who can compete at the highest levels of the sport. With a 18-4 record, a history of elite submissions, and improving striking, he remains a dangerous opponent for anyone at featherweight or bantamweight.
Outside the cage, Mitchell continues to generate headlines for all the wrong reasons, a pattern that shows no sign of stopping.
One thing is certain, love him or hate him, Bryce ‘Thug Nasty’ Mitchell is impossible to ignore.
Key Takeaways
| Topic | Summary |
| Early Life | Born 1994 in Arkansas, multi sport athlete, Economics degree from Harding University |
| Fighting Style | Elite grappler with rare twister submission, improving striker with KO power |
| UFC Record | 18 4 overall; multiple Fight/Performance of Night bonuses |
| Career Highlight | 2nd ever twister submission in UFC history (2019 vs. Matt Sayles) |
| Controversy | Multiple conspiracy theories; Hitler/Holocaust statements in January 2025 |
| Net Worth | Estimated $1.5M–$2M from fighting, farming, sponsorships & podcast |
| Current Status | Active UFC fighter; no next fight scheduled as of March 2026 |
| Weight Class | Moving between Featherweight (145) and Bantamweight (135) |
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