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UFC fighter Bryce Mitchell made a statement on Saturday night.
Before his fight against Dan Ige, Mitchell brought a Bible into the octagon.
As his name was being announced into the ring, he yelled, "Freedom!" Mitchell later won the bout.
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Bryce Mitchell prepares to face Dan Ige in a featherweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on September 23, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
After the fight, Mitchell was asked about the move, and he gave kudos to the UFC for being able to express himself freely.
"That's what it's all about – is being yourself in here. That's what people love. I'm just glad for the opportunity to make – it [fused] my personality into what I'm doing," he said. "I have no problem fighting, but my favorite part is just getting to say what I want, do what I want, live the free life that I live. That's what I love about this."
"The UFC, it gives me freedom. I'm in here fighting for my freedom. You can't be in no NFL team talking how I talk. You can't be on no NBA team talking how I talk. UFC gives me freedom to be who I want to be, and that's what I love. That's why I go in here ready to [go]. I can't have no other job that gives me this freedom. And that's what I love, brother. I'm free."
Bryce Mitchell reacts after his victory over Dan Ige in a featherweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on September 23, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
UFC president Dana White had no qualms about it either.
"I got no reaction. You know how I am here, whatever you’re into man. There’s no muzzles here," White said via MMA Mania. "Whoever you are, whatever you believe, whatever you think, we’ve heard it all, seen it all – well, we think we have, who knows what’s next – but this is one of those places where you say what you feel and say what you want, and it’s all good with me."
Bryce Mitchell looks on during a featherweight fight against Dan Ige during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on September 23, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
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Mitchell moved to 16-1 in his career with the victory, with the one loss having been in his previous fight on Dec. 10, 2022, against Ilia Topuria.