Tomorrow night on the main card of UFC 272, we are going to see a big time showdown in the featherweight division. Undefeated top prospect Bryce “Thug Nasty” Mitchell (14-0) takes on one of the more devastating strikers in the division in Edson Barboza (22-10).
For years, Edson Barboza terrified the UFC’s lightweight division with his blistering fast striking. After things had stalled out for him at 155 pounds, Barboza decided to try his luck in the UFC’s featherweight division. Tomorrow night will mark his fifth fight in the division.
Thus far, he’s gone 2-2 and the road will not get easier with Mitchell. Injuries kept Bryce Mitchell out of action for 2021, but he’s back and he’s ready to pick right back up where he left off in 2020. After a stint on the Ultimate Fighter, Mitchell made his UFC debut back in 2018.
Counting that fight, Mitchell has gone 5-0 in the UFC. In his last fight, he took on the tough Andre Fili. That was a step up at the time and he passed with flying colors. Now, he’s getting another big test at UFC 272 and we will have to see how he does.
UFC 272 Preview
There is going to be one big key to this UFC 272 featherweight contest. That key is going to be leg kicks. I know many were probably thinking grappling considering how talented Mitchell is on the ground, but I’m actually going to be looking at leg kicks.
Edson Barboza’s leg kicks are devastating. He can take out Mitchell’s advances in a quick way tomorrow night if he’s able to land some big leg kicks. However, if Mitchell can get past the leg kicks and get ahold of Barboza it becomes a really tough fight for the Brazilian.
I think you’re going to see a hot start from Barboza at UFC 272. I think the speed is going to be a problem for Mitchell early on. However, I think a big difference here is that Mitchell is not going to stop moving forward even after the Barboza early onslaught.
This fight is going to go the distance and I believe that Bryce Mitchell will keep his 0 tomorrow night.
Prediction: Bryce Mitchell by Decision