After a hard day of training, Bryce Mitchell bummed a ride from former UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland.
Considering both Strickland and ‘Thug Nasty’ are best known for their socio-political commentaries that are polarizing—to say the least—their pairing almost feels long overdue. In a video clip posted on Mitchell’s social media, the featherweight standout dubbed “a friend and an American legend” as the two traveled through the streets of Las Vegas in Strickland’s Tesla Model S.
It’s a little surprising that Mitchell was even willing to get into the car considering he has disparaged the automobile brand on multiple occasions and went so far as to suggest that Elon Musk would bring about the Antichrist.
Strickland poked fun at Mitchell’s dislike for all things associated with Musk, warning him that he’ll likely lose some of his fanbase for being seen in the $40,000 luxury car. Mitchell, however, wasn’t terribly concerned because it offered him an opportunity to take a ride with “the champ.”
Bryce Mitchell is Yet to Return Following His Brutal KO Loss at UFC 296
Bryce Mitchell has not stepped foot inside the Octagon since suffering a horrific first-round knockout at the hands of perennial featherweight contender Josh Emmett in December. Emmett landed an overhand right just before the two-minute mark that rendered Mitchell immediately unconscious. Perhaps even more terrifying were the convulsions that the brutal knockout induced.
31 Day Countdown of my Favourite Knockouts in MMA History:
23-Josh Emmett/Bryce Mitchell
It's still fresh in the heads of MMA fans but it still doesn't cease to amaze how sick this one was. pic.twitter.com/A18ll0R6Dy— The Honest Jones Fan🦆 (@SmackdownLayer) January 10, 2024
Fortunately, it appears as though ‘Thug Nasty’ has made a full recovery, though he has not yet announced a return date, leading many to wonder if he’ll fight at all in 2024.
As for Sean Strickland, the former middleweight titleholder is expected to run it back with the man who took the 185-pound title from him in January—Dricus Du Plessis. Strickland re-established himself as the division’s top-ranked contender with a split decision victory over Paulo Costa in June.
When and where ‘DDP’ vs. Strickland 2 takes place is yet to be determined, but sometime next year in the champ’s native South Africa appears to be the tentative plan.
Check out highlights from Strickland vs. Costa below:
