UFC fighter Bryce Mitchell is a really good grappler for MMA standards, but he got absolutely dominated in his switch to professional Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ)… by a teenager.
Mitchell joined the lightweight tournament at EBI 25, which had a couple of big names in the BJJ scene. The 16-man bracket had two-time ADCC trials winner Ethan Crelinsten, Polaris champ Keith Krikorian, and two-time IBJJF no gi world champ Gianni Grippo, but Mitchell was taken out before getting a chance to match up with those established veterans.
UFC’s Bryce Mitchell quickly submitted by teen BJJ prospect at EBI 25
Bryce Mitchell managed to win his first match with a respectable decision against a brown belt in JJ Bowers. He had a nice armbar attempt in regulation, but as he failed to get a finish, the bout went to overtime, where Mitchell won by fastest escape time.
In the second round though, he faced a 19-year-old BJJ prospect in Landon Elmore, where the UFC fighter just looked to be in over his head.
The grappling skill was pretty evident throughout the match. Within the first few seconds, Elmore went for a flying triangle that he only let go because Mitchell threatened to slam him out of bounds. Once they were reset, Elmore used a k-guard entry to get to Mitchell’s legs, and then easily transitioned to a heel hook finish.
Watch the entire match and the quick submission below:
After the match, Mitchell noted how he still wants to keep competing at grappling tournaments even while juggling his UFC career. The longtime MMA contender last competed in the UFC in July, where he won a decision over Said Nurmagomedov.
Landon Elmore submits all opponents to win EBI title, Gordon Ryan reacts
Taking out Bryce Mitchell wasn’t the only highlight for Landon Elmore, who had the breakthrough performance of his young grappling career at EBI 25. The teen phenom finished every opponent he faced in the tournament with the same submission, including a huge heel hook win over Keith Krikorian in the finals.
With those four heel hook submission wins, Elmore won $20,000 became the EBI lightweight champion at just 19 years old.
“The Big Slime,” who trains at New Wave / Kingsway, got high praise from Gordon Ryan too.
“(Landon Elmore) had his 1st big breakout performace!” Gordon Ryan wrote on Instagram. “100% sub rate in regulation! What a highlight reel!”
Lightweight tournament first round
Derek Rayfield def. Ethan Crelinsten by submission (armbar), OTReese Lafever def. Mauricio Rios by fastest escape time, OTBryce Mitchell def. JJ Bowers by fastest escape time, OTLandon Elmore def. Roman Corona by submission (heel hook)Keith Krikorian def. Jonathan Wilson by submission (heel hook)Raphael Ferreira def. Henrique Camargo by submission (anaconda choke)Gianni Grippo def. Grayson Henley by submission (arm triangle)Dylan Cameron def. Ben Eddy by fastest escape time, OT
Lightweight tournament quarterfinals
Reese Lafever def. Derek Rayfield by fastest escape time, OTLandon Elmore def. Bryce Mitchell by submission (heel hook)Keith Krikorian def. Raphael Ferreira by submission (heel hook)Gianni Grippo def. Dylan Cameron by submission (arm triangle)
Lightweight tournament semis
Landon Elmore def. Reese Lafever by submission (heel hook)Keith Krikorian def. Gianni Grippo by submission (rear naked choke), OT
Lightweight tournament finals
Landon Elmore def. Keith Krikorian by submission (heel hook)
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