Movsar Evloev is in need of a new opponent, and Bryce Mitchell may be willing to step up.
The Russian was scheduled to face former UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling in a battle of featherweight contenders at UFC 307 on Oct. 5 in Salt Lake City.
Sterling, however, was recently announced to be out of UFC 307 due to an injury. The UFC is intending to keep Evloev on the card as long as they can find a short-notice opponent.
Mitchell appears to be willing to fulfill that role, throwing his name into the hat in a recent video interview with The Schmo.
That said, he would take the fight if it could be delayed until right before the end of the year.
Bryce Mitchell Says If He Gets Two Months, He’ll Step Up Against Movsar Evloev
“[I heard Sterling] hurt his elbow,” Mitchell said. “You know what happened last time I took one on short notice. It was ugly. I’m wise enough to respect that I need a little bit more training. I want that fight. Give me two months, I’m down. That’s all I need. Two months. And I think that’s fair to ask.
“And if he really wants that fight, two months is not that long of a wait for what they’re paying him. He can survive two more months without a paycheck. I think he should fight me in two months.”
Mitchell, however, also did note that he wouldn’t want to take the fight from Sterling if he still wanted it — attesting to he and “Funk Master” being good friends.
Mitchell’s most recent fight was also a short-notice bout, one that did not end particularly well for “Thug Nasty.” Stepping up on late notice against Josh Emmett at UFC 296, Mitchell was brutally knocked out in what was a late Knockout of the Year contender.
After starting his career 15-0, the Arkansas native has lost two of his last three.
Evloev, meanwhile, is undefeated at 18-0. He was most recently in action at January’s UFC 297, defeating Arnold Allen.
