Ilay Barzilay wasn’t looking for any theatrics when he agreed to a grappling match with Bryce Mitchell at Karate Combat 53. However, things took a turn when the bout was called off.
This young contender from Israel, just 23, had eagerly stepped forward for a shot at Mitchell, especially after the UFC featherweight made shocking statements on his podcast. Mitchell’s comments, which included defending Adolf Hitler and denying the Holocaust, were met with widespread disgust. UFC’s CEO, Dana White, even labeled the remarks as some of the most outrageous and ignorant he’d ever encountered.
Barzilay quickly voiced his disapproval on Instagram, catching the eye of Karate Combat. Unfortunately, plans for the showdown unraveled when Mitchell committed to a fight against Jean Silva at UFC 314 in Miami this April.
“I had only a week’s notice for this fight,” Barzilay shared with MMA Fighting. “I threw everything I had into that week, honing my grappling skills, because I didn’t want to let anyone down. I was determined to win and submit him. I poured my heart into it, and now I’m left feeling a mix of frustration and anger.”
Mitchell isn’t the first prominent figure whose offensive rhetoric about World War II atrocities has sparked outrage. Yet, for Barzilay, it was more than just words.
His motivation for wanting to face Mitchell wasn’t just about indignation; it hit home. “Here’s the thing—my grandma survived the Holocaust, and my grandfather lost all his family to it,” Barzilay explained. “What Mitchell said was deeply personal. Losing family in the Holocaust is no small matter, and with my grandmother still sharing her stories, I felt personally attacked by his words.”
The news of Mitchell backing out of the match hit Barzilay hard. Yet, there’s a silver lining: his friend and teammate, Silva, is set to face Mitchell. Training with Silva as part of the Fighting Nerds team in Brazil, Barzilay has faith in his partner delivering some payback.
Barzilay feels Mitchell could have easily managed both events—grappling on Friday and competing in the UFC come April. Nonetheless, he’s confident Silva will avenge what’s been said.
“Jean’s path to the top 15 is clear-cut,” Barzilay commented. “He’s a future champion, unmatched in his weight class, and will handle Bryce without a hitch.”
He speculated Mitchell might have had concerns about the grappling bout, perhaps fearing it might spiral into a full fight.
Barzilay, boasting a flawless 6-0 record in the LFA—a league known for grooming UFC talent—is confident he’ll soon step into the UFC ring. For now, his focus remains on settling the score with Mitchell.
“Just give me the fight,” Barzilay stressed. “Whether it’s Karate Combat, the UFC or even in a gym, I’m ready to face him. This fight, it’s personal. Mitchell’s words about the Holocaust are a direct insult to my family, to the memory of those who perished. My grandmother is a survivor. So yes, it’s personal. And a UFC debut against Bryce Mitchell? That sounds just about right to me.”
