Bryce Mitchell, former UFC featherweight and now bantamweight contender, has publicly addressed current UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria regarding serious personal controversies. Mitchell remembers his fight with Topuria at UFC 282 in late 2022, followed by Topuria mocking him in overalls.
“Remember when I fought Ilia, he won, and then afterwards, he got a pair of overalls and was making fun of me, because I run a farm and I run around in overalls, and he thought that was hilarious? Well, I got something for you,” Mitchell said on Instagram.
The “Wife Beater Special” Warning
Mitchell called out Topuria directly, labeling him a “wife beater” and condemning his alleged actions.
“This is called the ‘Wife Beater Special.’ That’s right. I got my wife beater on for Ilia Topuria. That btch puts his hands on a woman. You know, I grew up without a dad, never seen my dad, never will see my dad. And you know what? I’d rather not see my dad than have my dad there beating on my mom. Let me tell you something, that’ll get you killed around these parts, son. That sht ain’t no joke. There ain’t nothing funny about it. I just had to let you know you’re a straight up btch for that. And your brother’s a btch too. I’ll fight him. I’ll beat his ass. You got lucky — I was sick, or I would have beat your ass; and, look, you don’t deserve to get to see your kid, son, because you put your hands on their mother. You’re a coward. That sh*t is sickening.”
Mitchell admitted his underperformance in the fight against Topuria was influenced by battling the flu at the time.
Faith and Redemption Advice
Mitchell also offered guidance for Topuria’s personal life, emphasizing repentance and a return to faith:
“But anyways, bro, who am I to judge? I fall short of the glory of God, too,” Mitchell said. “Ilia, you need to repent, return to Jesus Christ, and if you repent, you won’t rot in hell, bro. But you better really mean it and you better really repent and probably stop drinking, too. You probably got a drinking problem, man. But return to Jesus Christ, you will be forgiven. And if not, you’re going to rot in hell, bro, because that’s where women beaters go. Wives ain’t like belts, okay? It ain’t the more the merrier. You’re supposed to have one man, one woman, to become one, okay? You’re out, running around, working on your third wife now. Hell, you think they’re championship belts and you’re trying to get three or four. You’re an idiot, dude. You need to take notes from a guy like me.”
Topuria last competed at UFC 317 in June 2025, where he knocked out Charles Oliveira in the first round to claim the vacant UFC lightweight title. Since then, he has been on an indefinite break to address personal issues.
Topuria is currently on an indefinite break, leaving the UFC lightweight division in flux. Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett will compete for the interim lightweight title at UFC 324 next month in Las Vegas. Mitchell has yet to be scheduled for his next fight after his victory over Said Nurmagomedov in Abu Dhabi.
