Jean Silva claimed UFC featherweight Bryce Mitchell is scared to fight him after the American said a ‘legion of demons’ possess his opponent.
The two are scheduled to fight at UFC 314 headlined by a featherweight title fight between former champion Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes.
Michael Chandler vs Paddy Pimblett will co-main the event in Miami, Florida.
The 13th ranked featherweight, Mitchell, will take on Silva that same day on April 12.
Mitchell has a 17-3 MMA record, coming off a round three TKO win against Kron Gracie.
Silva has a record of 15-2, currently on a 12 fight winning streak, the most recent four victories being in the UFC.
Ahead of the bout Mitchell in typical fashion posted a tirade to his Instagram.
Mitchell said: “I need all my Christian warriors to pray for me that I will have peaceful sleep. Every single night since the day before the press conference I’ve had demonic dreams.
“These demons surround me and they try to provoke me to anger. The dream will switch and they’ll send beautiful women and they’re trying to get me to lust, to cheat on my wife.
“I’m not just fighting a man on April 12th, I’m fighting a man possessed by a legion of demons.
“When I said the name Jesus he was provoked to maliciousness, and he started barking like a dog.”
In response Silva posted on social media platform X: “Bryce, two things, these are not demons, it’s just you being afraid to face me and second about the beautiful women you have a hormone called testosterone and you probably have problems with it.
“Just be ready for April 12th, because I will be.”
Mitchell is arguably the UFC’s most controversial representative, being a big supporter of Donald Trump and gun enthusiast.
In January, Mitchell also said Adolf Hitler was a ‘good guy and that ‘the Holocaust ain’t real’ on his podcast.
Mitchell went on to make antisemitic and anti-LGBTQ+ comments while saying Hitler wanted to ‘purify’ Germany.
UFC president Dana White condemned the 30-year-old, saying: “We reached out to Bryce immediately when we read what he said, and let him know exactly how we felt about it.
“But what he said was beyond disgusting and he needs a real education on the facts surrounding Hitler and World War Two.”
“Hitler is one of the most disgusting and evil human beings to ever walk the earth, and anyone that even tries to take an opposing position is a moron.
“That’s the problem with the internet and social media. You provide a platform to a lot of dumb and ignorant people.”
How to get tickets for the WWE shows in London and Glasgow
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Wrestling fans in the UK don’t get to see their idols live very often, as most events are based out in the US.
But this month the chance to see Raw and Smackdown is right around the corner as stars such as The Rock and John Cena will be hitting London’s O2 Arena and Glasgow’s OVO Hydro.
To get tickets to see these shows in the build up to Wrestlemania, follow the links below.
WWE Raw tickets (OVO Hydro Glasgow, 24 March)
- WWE Raw Glasgow tickets at Ticketmaster, from £229.70 – buy here
- WWE Raw Glasgow tickets at StubHub from £396 – buy here
- WWE Raw Glasgow tickets at Viagogo, from £372 – buy here
WWE Smackdown tickets (O2 Arena London, 28 March)
- WWE Friday Night Smackdown London tickets at Ticketmaster, from £340.50 – buy here
- WWE Friday Night Smackdown London tickets at StubHub, from £151 – buy here
- WWE Friday Night Smackdown London tickets at Viagogo, from £144 – buy here
WWE Raw tickets (O2 Arena London, 31 March)
