UFC Fight Night: Bryce Mitchell vs Santiago Luna Preview & Prediction
Bryce Mitchell returns for his sophomore appearance at bantamweight, taking on surging prospect, Santiago Luna.
Bryce Mitchell vs Santiago Luna facts
What time are Bryce Mitchell and Santiago Luna expected to walk out?
Where is UFC Fight Night: Muhammad vs Bonfim? Meta Apex, Enterprise, USA
Where can I get tickets for UFC Fight Night: Muhammad vs Bonfim? Click here for the latest ticket information for UFC Fight Night 278
What TV channel is UFC Fight Night: Muhammad vs Bonfim on? UK – TNT Sports / USA – Paramount
Where can I stream UFC Fight Night: Muhammad vs Bonfim? UK – TNT Sports can stream the event online via the TNT Sports website and HBO Max / USA – Paramount+ & UFC Fight Pass
UFC Fight Night: Muhammad vs Bonfim main card
Belal Muhammad vs Gabriel Bonfim (Welterweight)
Brendan Allen vs Edmen Shahbazyan (Middleweight)
Fares Ziam vs Tom Nolan (Lightweight)
Bryce Mitchell vs Santiago Luna (Bantamweight)
Iwo Baraniewski vs Junior Tafa (Light Heavyweight)
UFC Fight Night: Muhammad vs Bonfim prelims
Matt Schnell vs Alessandro Costa (Catchweight - 130 lb)
Marcus McGhee vs John Yannis (Bantamweight)
Bruno Gustavo da Silva vs Edgar Chairez (Flyweight)
Priscila Cachoeira vs Chelsea Chandler (Women’s Bantamweight)
Jordan Leavitt vs Joanderson Brito (Featherweight)
Jeisla Chaves vs Yuneisy Duben (Women’s Flyweight)
Ketlen Souza vs Ariane Carnelossi (Women’s Strawweight)
Bryce Mitchell: "Thug Nasty" returns for what could well be his last fight under the UFC banner
Poised to make his sophomore appearance at 135 pounds after dropping down from featherweight, Bryce Mitchell (18-3) leaned on his grappling to earn the decision over Said Nurmagomedov, recovering from a vicious knee from the Russian in the early goings. Mitchell was largely successful at featherweight, reeling off a six fight win streak in the aftermath of his run on TUF before he began to run into elite competition at 145 pounds. Best known for his superb grappling, Mitchell is one of only three fighters in UFC history to score a win by twister, although it’s worth noting that 2019 victory over Matt Sayles actually marked his most recent win by submission.
Santiago Luna: "Border Boy" looks to keep his undefeated record intact and score the biggest win of his career
Undefeated in eight professional fights with seven finishes before the bell, 21 year Santiago Luna (8-0) looks to be an excellent addition to the ranks at 135 pounds. Signed to the promotion less than a year ago, “Border Boy” debuted in highlight reel fashion last September, scoring multiple knockdowns and eventually flattening Quang Le with a left hook and follow up strikes in the first round to earn a POTN bonus. Luna would follow his impressive initial showing with a dominant decision victory over Angel Pacheco in Mexico City, dominating the American in all facets of the game to earn 30-27 scorecards across the board.
Bryce Mitchell vs Santiago Luna prediction
Luna looks to be an excellent prospect, a well rounded finishing threat with seven stoppages in eight wins. With that being said, this looks to be a case of too much, too soon.
Mitchell didn’t look great in his bantamweight debut against Said Nurmagomedov, but he’s still an elite grappler who has been in there with some of the best fighters at featherweight. He’s enormous for the division at 5’10” and has almost double the amount of professional experience as his latest opponent. Moreover, he isn’t afraid to sacrifice entertainment value in favour of smudging his opponent into the canvas.
I think “Border Boy” is going to come out fast and hard, likely taking the first round and potentially even hurting Mitchell on the feet badly akin to the Nurmagomedov fight. However, if he isn’t able to find a finish, I see the tide duly turning in favor of Mitchell's experience, with his grappling acumen allowing him to take over the latter stages of the fight.
This could be a changing of the guard moment at 135 pounds, but Mitchell has only ever been finished by legitimate Top 10 level competition at featherweight. Until Luna proves that he’s capable of taking out a fighter of Mitchell’s caliber, a decision over the 0-3 Angel Pacheco isn’t enough to convince me that he’s likely to earn the judges’ nod here.
Prediction: Bryce Mitchell to win by decision
