Bryce Mitchell vs. Dan Ige Prediction: Can Bryce Mitchell Make a Statement at UFC Vegas 79?

Bryce Mitchell vs. Dan Ige Prediction: Can Bryce Mitchell Make a Statement at UFC Vegas 79?

The co-main event of UFC Vegas 79 features a featherweight bout between No. 10-ranked Bryce Mitchell and No. 12-ranked Dan Ige. This will be a classic contrast of styles in the octagon, with Mitchell being a suffocating wrestler, while Ige loves to put on a show on the feet, which is signified by his "50K" nickname. Mitchell opened as a -150 favorite in this fight, but he has quickly risen to a -200 favorite as the week has progressed. Can Mitchell bounce back and win this fight and potentially set a date with a top-five opponent?

Bryce Mitchell vs. Dan Ige Date, Time, and Where to Watch

• Date: Saturday, September 23, 2023
• Game Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
• Where to Watch: ESPN+

Bryce Mitchell vs. Dan Ige Prediction

Bryce Mitchell, also known as "Thug Nasty," is a force to be reckoned with inside the Octagon. Though he may not have the most polished or technical striking yet, he more than makes up for it with his relentless wrestling and submission game. His striking is still coming along, but he is polishing it more and more every fight, and he definitely has power. Just ask Edson Barboza, whom Mitchell dropped in their bout, proving that even in striking exchanges, he's a threat.

However, Mitchell's true power lies in his wrestling. He boasts a takedown game built on pure farmboy strength, and his ability to mix up striking and takedowns keeps opponents guessing. Mitchell's approach to grappling is relentless, much like Khabib Nurmagomedov's, and he never gives up on a takedown, even if it's initially defended. Mitchell has now landed at least one takedown in every fight since his debut, and even in his debut, he reversed position on Bobby Moffett multiple times, eventually winning that fight even without a takedown on his stats.

On the other side of the cage stands Dan Ige, a fighter with a reputation for one-punch KO power in both hands. Ige excels in close-quarters fights and loves to fight in a phone booth. His striking combinations and punching power make him a scary matchup on the feet for anyone.

However, there's a glaring weakness in Ige's game, which is his takedown defense. Historically, he's struggled against opponents with strong wrestling backgrounds. In his last fight against a wrestler, Ige was taken down NINE times by Movsar Evloev, losing a unanimous decision while only landing 42 strikes in 15 minutes. Ige has struggled against wrestlers in the UFC, although he has not faced many, and he has a 56% takedown defense, which does not look good against Mitchell.

This feels like a fight that Bryce Mitchell can get to the ground often. His wrestling is just so good, and we have seen Ige struggle with this exact style of fight before. Mitchell is suffocating on the ground, and he may frustrate Ige quickly if he lands an early takedown and keeps him there.

Mitchell is now a -200 favorite, and I cannot take that much juice here. Instead, I am taking a much better price on Mitchell to finish the fight. Mitchell has won many fights by decision now, and Ige is not an easy guy to finish, but I think Mitchell's chain wrestling will start to wear on Ige. Once we get to the late second or third round, If Mitchell still has Ige on the ground, I think Ige may get so frustrated he makes a mistake and gives Mitchell his back or an arm while trying to get back to the feet. Ige has yet to be finished in his career, which is why the line is so high here for Mitchell to do so, but this could be another submission on Mitchell's record.

Bryce Mitchell vs. Dan Ige Pick

Pick: Bryce Mitchell Wins Inside the Distance +400 is currently the best odds. Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds

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