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For Israeli fighter Ilay Barzilay, the opportunity to face Bryce Mitchell was about more than just competition—it was personal. Originally set to clash in a grappling match at Karate Combat 53, Barzilay was eager to challenge the UFC featherweight after Mitchell made appalling comments on his podcast, defending Adolf Hitler and denying the Holocaust. The backlash was swift, with UFC CEO Dana White condemning Mitchell’s remarks as “beyond disgusting.”
Barzilay, a 23-year-old rising prospect, didn’t hesitate to call out Mitchell for his offensive statements. His response caught the attention of Karate Combat, setting up a highly anticipated showdown. However, their match fell apart when Mitchell secured a fight against Jean Silva at UFC 314 in April. Barzilay, who had taken the bout on just a week’s notice, was frustrated and disappointed by the sudden change.
“I had one week notice to this fight,” Barzilay told MMA Fighting. “I worked my ass off during this week. I improved my grappling so much because I didn’t want to disappoint. I wanted to beat him.”
Barzilay’s motivation ran deeper than just competition. His grandmother is a Holocaust survivor, and his grandfather lost his entire family in the Holocaust. Mitchell’s remarks struck a nerve, making the bout far more significant than a simple grappling contest.
“He said some horrific things,” Barzilay said. “My grandmother is still alive and she’s still telling me stories about the Holocaust. What he said, it’s personal.”
Despite the match’s cancellation, Barzilay finds solace in his teammate and friend, Jean Silva, who now has the chance to make Mitchell pay inside the Octagon. Training alongside Silva at Fighting Nerds in Brazil, Barzilay is confident his teammate will dominate Mitchell when they meet in April.
“Jean is a future champion,” Barzilay said. “He will beat Bryce very easily.”
Barzilay remains determined to settle his score with Mitchell, whether inside the UFC, in Karate Combat, or even in a gym. Currently holding a 6-0 record in LFA, he is poised for a UFC debut and hopes it will be against Mitchell.
“Just let me fight the guy,” he said. “UFC debut against Bryce Mitchell, that sounds very good.”