Bryce Mitchell Targets Finish of Musumeci at UFC BJJ 11

The UFC bantamweight says he prepared for Thursday's non-title grappling match with champion Mike Musumeci as though it were a full fight camp.

Bryce Mitchell will step onto the mat at UFC BJJ 11 on Thursday for a grappling match against bantamweight champion Mike Musumeci. Because the contest takes place at featherweight, no title will be on the line.

Mitchell, who normally competes in MMA, will face an opponent widely regarded as among the elite in jiu-jitsu and who trains in the discipline full time. The size allowance at featherweight may help the UFC fighter, but the skill gap on the ground is seen as a major obstacle.

Speaking to MMA Junkie Radio, Mitchell made clear that simply surviving the matchup is not his plan. He wants Musumeci to submit, describing a decisive ending as proof that he deserves to be taken seriously.

The importance of the occasion has led Mitchell to treat his preparation like an actual fight. He said he went through a full training camp and intends to cut weight the same way he would for an MMA bout, predicting the outcome will generate plenty of attention.

Beyond this single match, Mitchell said he hopes to eventually hold a UFC championship. He believes a strong performance Thursday could convince the promotion to book him for further UFC BJJ appearances.