UFC Nashville results: Bryce Mitchell claims razor-thin decision over Bobby Moffett (original) (raw)

[jwplayer 3JTovDO6-FLu19iir]

Bryce Mitchell looked like he might claim a quick win over Bobby Moffett but instead had to dig deep to take home a decision victory in a gutsy effort.

The featherweight bout closed out the preliminary card of today’s UFC on ESPN+ 6 event at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn. It streamed on ESPN+.

The two men wasted little time trading punches to start, with both men moving well and looking for options. It was Mitchell (11-0 MMA, 2-0 UFC) who connected first, landing a big left hand for a flash knockdown. Moffett (14-4 MMA, 1-1 UFC) crawled immediately back up and looked to shoot inside, forcing Mitchell to scramble in defense. Mitchell tried to slip around to the back, but Moffett pulled his opponent’s legs around and took top position. Undaunted, Moffett immediately fired up a triangle attempt and then attacked the arm, as well. Both holds were threatening, but Moffett was able to work through them and again recover to the feet, where the two went back and forth in grappling attempts until the bell.

ESPN+ Free Trial!

Moffett shot in quickly in the second and was able to get the action to the floor, but Mitchell was able to scramble back to the feet rather quickly. The striking game was relatively even as they exchanged, but Moffett eventually was able to get inside and drive the action to the floor, this time really establishing top position and quickly locking in a D’Arce choke that appeared threatening. Mitchell wasn’t having it, walking around and eventually popping his head free. From there, Mitchell went quickly to a crucifix on the back and began looking for a potential armbar, though he couldn’t get an earnest effort in before the bell.

Mitchell pressed forward quickly in the third, but Moffett was prepared and quickly turned the aggression around, driving the action to the canvas and taking top position. Mitchell turned for an armbar, and while it didn’t work, it created a scramble that eventually saw him get back to the feet. With Mitchell clearly tiring, Moffett was able to take the fight again to the floor, brushing aside a potential kimura attempt and settling on top. Mitchell stayed busy underneath, looking to escape, and when Moffett looked for a D’Arce, that allowed the opportunity.

Mitchell got to his knees and then quickly transitioned around to the back. Sneaking the right arm under the chin, Mitchell looked for the choke, though Moffett kept it tucked. Mitchell continued hunting in the final minute before the two exhausted fighters returned to the feet at the end of a thrilling matchup. While it seemed both fighters had a valid claim of victory, Mitchell was rewarded, 29-28 on all three cards.

“The first D’Arce (choke) he had on me, I had the option to quit, but I told myself I was raised better than that,” Mitchell said. “I thought of my mother and my father and my family because I could have tapped out. I thought I was going to go out and I just said, ‘I’m going out tonight.’ I dug deep that whole fight and that’s because of my upbringing.

“He felt so much bigger and stronger. I’ve been trying to get bigger and stronger and I will continue to do that. When those people hit you and they’re that big, it just drains you. I’ve got knockout power – I just have to work on a few things and get stronger. I’m going to take some time off, heal up some little injuries and get my life together. I’ve got a ton going on right now, so I’ve got to balance it before I take another fight. But when I do take another fight, I’ll be ready for a war.”

Up-to-the-minute UFC on ESPN+ 6 results include:

For complete coverage of UFC on ESPN+ 6, check out the UFC Events section of the site.

Be sure to visit the MMA Junkie Instagram page and YouTube channel to discuss this and more content with fans of mixed martial arts.