Bryce Mitchell Blasts UFC Freedom 250: “The government is supposed to protect us, not entertain us”
Bryce Mitchell used his UFC media day appearance to criticize the planned White House card, saying the government should focus on protection rather than putting on a fight event. The Arkansas fighter is scheduled to face Santiago Luna at UFC Vegas 118 on June 6, while UFC Freedom 250 is set for the White House on June 14.
Bryce Mitchell unloads on UFC Freedom 250 White House Event
Mitchell said, “The government is supposed to protect us, not entertain us.” He added, “What I think, personally, is that our government is desecrating its role in society by entertaining sports. Our government is supposed to protect and serve the people.” Those remarks came as the UFC continues to promote Freedom 250 as part of the White House’s 250th anniversary celebrations.
He also tied the issue to funding, saying, “When you’re doing all this stuff, hosting sporting events, it’s really outside what the goal of the government is intended to be because our tax dollars and resources are funding this operation.”
Mitchell then widened his criticism, saying, “I’m not surprised at all. We ought to be able to criticize our own nation, let alone a foreign nation. [Israel] is the only nation you’re not allowed to criticize. Something’s gonna change, because evil empires don’t last forever.”
Mitchell has a history of drawing attention for political comments, and earlier this year he faced backlash for remarks widely condemned as antisemitic and for Holocaust denial, which UFC CEO Dana White called “beyond disgusting” at the time.
Mitchell also took a sharper political line in comments reported earlier, accusing the UFC of using the White House card to push Donald Trump’s image. In that version of his criticism, he said the promotion was trying to “make people worship antichrist Donald Trump,” framing the June 14 show as something bigger than a sports event and tying it directly to Trump’s political brand.
Luna accepted the short-notice matchup for June 6 and told reporters at media day that he expects to handle Mitchell’s grappling and make the most of the opportunity. He said he believes he can take Mitchell down and strike with him, while also describing himself as “disciplined” heading into the fight.
