Bryce Mitchell got back into the win column at UFC Abu Dhabi, grinding out a decision victory over Said Nurmagomedov in his bantamweight debut.
Mitchell put on pressure early and found some success in the clinch, but he ultimately paid for his aggressiveness, eating a perfectly-timed knee from Nurmagomedov at the three-minute mark of the opening round. The shot sat ‘Thug Nasty’ down, prompting the Dagestani to jump on top and land some ground strikes before settling into Mitchell’s guard.
Mitchell worked his way back up before the end of the round, but the knee from Nurmagomedov was likely enough to swing the scorecards in his favor.