“There’s Going to Be a Lot of People Attacking Me”- Bryce Mitchell Makes a Strong Statement on Arkansas Masks Rules

Bryce Mitchell vs Andre Fili was one of the most anticipated fights on the card at UFC Vegas 12. The featherweight bout between the two delivered on all the hype and then some more. On a card with some incredible finishes, Mitchell and Fili put on a technical display which went the distance. 

The fight was a classic stylistic matchup between a wrestler and a striker. Fili had secured 43% of his wins via T/KO. Mitchell on the other hand was yet to secure a T/KO win. ‘Thug Nasty’ displayed his wrestling prowess and earned a win this weekend in his first outing in the Camo Shorts.

Read: “What I’m doing is world class s***”-  Bryce Mitchell  

Bryce Mitchell gives his thoughts on being “forced” wearing a mask 

In the post-fight interview, ‘Thug Nasty’ mentioned an incident where he was passing by a school and saw children playing with masks on. When one of the children pulled down his mask to breathe the teacher reprimanded him for the same. Mitchell said that this made him, “Sick”.

Mitchell then explained his opinion on wearing a mask. He said, “I just want to tell Asa Hutchinson, I think he needs to have a little bit of backbone… there was no vote that said we want our kids in masks, our businesses shut down, our restaurants at half capacity, gyms at half capacity… And I don’t know who he thinks he is telling us that we have to shut down our businesses.”

‘Thug Nasty’ continued, “I’m just asking to get our freedom back. I don’t think that is much to ask for. What I’m saying is make the mask optional….. Why tell somebody they have to wear a mask?….. Taking away our liberties and taking away freedoms without a vote I don’ think that is the right answer…. There’s going to be a lot of people attacking me for what I said…. You know what I pay my taxes.”

The state of Arkansas has made it mandatory to wear face coverings in public. Governor Asa Hutchinson issued an executive order regarding the same in July when the cases of coronavirus were on the rise. 

The rules also mandate that restaurants and gyms have to operate at 50% capacity as mentioned by ‘Thug Nasty’ which he does not agree with. 

On Saturday night, Mitchell put on a clinical performance over Andre Fili. With the win under his belt, he now moves to 5-0 in the UFC and well placed to get a ranked opponent next.