After a tumultuous few months that saw him embroiled in controversy over a photo editing dispute with Karate Combat and a close victory at UFC Abu Dhabi, Bryce Mitchell is ready to return to his grappling roots. The Arkansas native has officially signed up for Eddie Bravo Invitational 25, marking a significant shift back to pure submission wrestling for the UFC bantamweight.
The announcement comes at an intriguing time for Mitchell who recently made headlines for withdrawing from a scheduled grappling match against Ilay Barzilay. His decision to pull out sparked considerable debate particularly after he accused Karate Combat of digitally altering his promotional image.
“You did up my ears and you did up my eyebrows. And the photo looks feminine. Y’all tried to qu*er me out,”
Mitchell stated in a video that quickly went viral across social media platforms.
While the photo editing controversy dominated headlines Mitchell later clarified that his primary concern was protecting his UFC career prospects. In an Instagram post he revealed:
“I’m dun messin around with any grapplin matches for a while. I have to fite wen I have the chance. And things just got stirred up in my division this week so I need to b on standby.”
However his decision to compete at EBI 25 suggests a change of heart possibly influenced by his recent performance at UFC Abu Dhabi. Mitchell successfully dropped down to bantamweight for the first time since 2015 and secured a unanimous decision victory over Said Nurmagomedov in a competitive three-round affair. The win showcased his grappling prowess particularly in the final round where he dominated on the ground transitioning between positions and accumulating significant control time.
EBI 25 dubbed “The Lightweights” will take place on Friday September 12th in San Antonio Texas featuring the organization’s signature submission-only format. Mitchell will face a stacked field of competitors including established names like Gianni Grippo Keith Krikorian and Ethan Crelinsten among others. The event promises to operate under the original EBI rules emphasizing pure grappling without time limits in regulation rounds.
For Mitchell this represents an opportunity to showcase the submission skills that have made him one of the more technically sound grapplers in the UFC. His background in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu has been a cornerstone of his mixed martial arts success and competing against elite-level grapplers could provide valuable experience as he continues to establish himself in the bantamweight division.
The timing also appears strategic. Following his victory over Nurmagomedov Mitchell expressed his willingness to take on any opponent the UFC presents stating he never turns down opportunities to compete. His participation in EBI 25 demonstrates that commitment while allowing him to stay active and sharp between UFC bookings.
Mitchell’s presence at the Eddie Bravo Invitational adds significant star power to an already impressive lineup. His controversial personality and outspoken nature have made him one of the more polarizing figures in mixed martial arts but his grappling credentials remain unquestioned. The submission-only format plays directly to his strengths and could provide the perfect platform for him to remind the combat sports world why he’s considered one of the most dangerous grapplers in the game.
