Bryce Mitchell, a featherweight division competitor in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), has come under fire for controversial remarks made during the debut episode of his ArkanSanity Podcast. He suggested that Adolf Hitler, responsible for the genocide of 6 million Jews, was a "good guy" who "fought for his country." This statement has drawn criticism from UFC President Dana White, who described Mitchell's comments as "dumb and ignorant."
"I’ve heard a lot of dumb and ignorant shit said over the years, but this is probably the worst," – Dana White
Despite the uproar, the UFC, the largest promotion in mixed martial arts (MMA), will not take disciplinary action against Mitchell. White upheld Mitchell's right to freedom of expression but made it clear that his comments were unacceptable. He emphasized that Mitchell's views do not align with the values of the UFC.
"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," – Dana White
The controversy began when Mitchell stated on his podcast that his personal research led him to believe Hitler was a good person, contrary to what he termed "public education indoctrination." This bold claim not only drew condemnation from White but also sparked widespread backlash. White criticized the internet and social media for providing platforms to individuals with uninformed opinions.
"Here’s what I say about [Elon Musk] heiling Hitler, heiling the Nazis: I really don’t think that he was, because I honestly think that Hitler was a good guy based upon my own research, not my public education indoctrination," – Bryce Mitchell
"That’s the problem with the internet and social media. You provide a platform to a lot of dumb and ignorant people," – Dana White
Mitchell's comments have also been met with disbelief due to historical inaccuracies. He claimed to have been in Germany before Hitler's rise to power, despite being born long after World War II. White noted that those who disagree with Mitchell will have the opportunity to see him compete in the octagon, where he could potentially face physical consequences for his views.