Bryce Mitchell calls for improvements to UFC’s knockout protocols: ‘Get me out of there’

After getting brutally finished at UFC 296, “Thug Nasty” has some constructive criticism on the way officials kept him in the cage too long.

Bryce Mitchell is a man of many opinions ... and some of them are just a little bit off. But, after being brutally knocked out by Josh Emmett at UFC 296 last month (watch highlights), “Thug Nasty” has some solid thought on how the world’s leading mixed martial arts (MMA) organization can improve post-knockout protocols.

Mitchell was on the receiving end of 2023’s “Knockout of the Year” winner — a flatliner of a punch from Emmett, one of the hardest hitters in the lower weight classes. He was knocked completely out and then had what appeared to be a seizure before eventually regaining consciousness.

This is where he feels UFC could have done more to protect him as a fighter.

“I was watching the fight back for film study, when I saw how bad the knockout was, I watched the whole thing,” Mitchell said in an interview with ESPN. “I watched what they did with me afterward, and I was talking afterward and I was shaking hands and stumbling around. Dude, they need to immediately escort me out of there. I really do think that needs to be protocol.

“Because from my standpoint, I can’t remember anything,” Mitchell continued. “I would much rather, say I get knocked out again, I’d much rather them escort me out of there as soon as I’m up on my feet, and I mean like up under the armpits, and not even talk to me or anything. Just get me out of there as quickly as possible.

“They still did good, they had all those officials in there, and even though I was saying I was fine they did escort me out of there eventually,” he added. “But, I don’t even think they should talk to me in that cage because I was probably arguing with them telling them ‘Oh I’m fine, I can walk.’ I don’t even know what I was saying. They need to get me out of the cage. And I’m glad that they did. That is how they need to do that, because as fighters they can stumble and fall and hurt their head even worse.”

At least he wasn’t asked for an immediate post-fight interview.

Nevertheless, Mitchell is now going through his own self-imposed, six-month concussion protocol, which involves taking it easy and working on his home and family. This is the first knockout loss of his career, so hopefully it hasn’t rattled his brain too badly.

If all goes according to plan, we’ll witness the return of “Thug Nasty” sometime mid-2024. And, perhaps, gives UFC enough time to tweak its concussion protocol procedures.

Remember those?

For complete UFC 296 results, coverage and highlights, click HERE.