Bryce Mitchell, who once declared he’d “take a bullet and die” for Donald Trump, was instead subdued and choked out on the UFC 314 canvas with the U.S. President looking on.
The bout took place at Miami’s Kaseya Center on Saturday night, where Mitchell faced off against Jean Silva in a highly anticipated match on a star-studded card. The event turned sour for Mitchell as he suffered a humiliating defeat in front of Trump, who had made an impressive entrance, and his entourage, including Elon Musk.
Mitchell set the tone by refusing to touch gloves with Silva at the outset, nearly getting finished in the opening round after a failed takedown led to Silva securing a tight guillotine choke. Mitchell escaped after some struggle, but the end came in the second round.
Despite the Miami crowd rallying behind Mitchell with chants of “U-S-A,” he was thoroughly outclassed. Rejecting another glove touch at the beginning of round two, Silva quickly landed a significant blow and then cinched in a ninja choke that made Mitchell tap out—and pass out as Silva let go.
This loss is particularly stinging for Mitchell given his controversial past statements. In February, the 30 year old, who has denied the Holocaust and praised Adolf Hitler, has been vocal about his fervent support for Trump.
Mitchell expressed staunch support for President Trump, notwithstanding misgivings about some cabinet selections. “I love Donald Trump. And you know, he’s not perfect. There’s going to be mistakes that he makes, and I don’t know about every single cabinet pick, for example, the surgeon general woman. She is one of those vaccine people, and if you’re a doctor and you’re pushing vaccines on children, I think it’s awful. I think vaccines give them ADHD. I think it gives them autism.
Donald Trump was in attendance in Miami (Image: Getty Images)
“I don’t believe in vaccines. I don’t think they’re effective at all, but when it comes to Donald Trump, I still trust him even if he has a couple bad picks. That’s not what I care about. I care about that man, and I trust his intentions.”
In a striking statement, Mitchell also claimed readiness to defend Trump to the utmost extreme: “He took a bullet for us and I promise you, if the day comes, I will take a bullet for that man. I love that man with all my heart and I would die fighting in battle for that man.”
Following a physical altercation where Mitchell underperformed, Silva commented to Joe Rogan that he was taken aback by Mitchell’s refusal to touch gloves before the fight.
Silva expressed his shock through a translator, saying: “I was surprised because I really thought it was part of the game, part of the promotion, but apparently, it’s part of him,” and added, “I’m sad for him, and you know what? I hope we all hope and pray and help out Bryce Mitchell because I don’t think he’s right in the head. It’s part of him and there’s something wrong with him for him to be like that.”
